# GS1 QR code generator

> DegreeSign generates GS1 Digital Link QR codes for retail packaging, covering every supported Application Identifier, and hosts the product page behind each code for free.

The generator runs in the browser and the code is scannable with any GS1-compatible reader. No signup, account or credit card is required.

## What it does

- Generates GS1 Digital Link QR codes from a GS1 number value.
- Covers the Application Identifiers in the GS1 table, including GTIN, batch and lot, production and expiry dates, and measure identifiers such as weight, length and volume.
- Provides a free dedicated product page for every code, hosted by DegreeSign.
- Validates the value before generating, so an unsupported identifier or malformed number is reported instead of encoded.

## Saving product information

Generating a code is free. Saving rich product information costs a small Bitcoin payment over the Lightning Network, which keeps the page online and needs no account, billing address or card details. Each save creates a permanent unique link, and saved products appear under the bookmark icon. A Lightning wallet completes the payment in seconds.

The rich product page can show a product name, image, description, company name, website, email and logo, alongside the GS1 data decoded from the code.

## Why move from barcode to QR code

- Capacity: a linear barcode holds about 20 characters, while a GS1 QR code holds more than 7,000.
- Retail readiness: the GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative moves point of sale to 2D barcodes.
- Durability: error correction keeps codes scannable when a label is creased, scratched or partly covered.
- Reuse: existing GTINs work inside a GS1 Digital Link, so no new identifiers are needed.
- Cost: generation and product page hosting are free.

## Related

- [Product page viewer](https://degreesign.com/products.md): what a scan opens
- [Pricing](https://degreesign.com/pricing.md): hosting and development plans