Interleaved 2 of 5 Font Download - i2of5txt.ttf
i2of5txt.ttf: Free Interleaved 2 of 5 Barcode Font
The i2of5txt.ttf file is a free TrueType font that generates Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes directly from standard text applications without specialized barcode software. Created by Chaos Microsystems Inc., this font converts paired numeric digits into the encoded bar-space patterns defined by the ISO/IEC 16390 standard, making it useful for warehouse labeling, shipping containers, and industrial applications where dedicated barcode printing systems aren’t available.
Free Interleaved 2 of 5 TrueType font
The i2of5txt.ttf font implements the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology as a character mapping system. Each typed character corresponds to specific bar-space patterns according to the Interleaved 2 of 5 specification. Unlike other barcode fonts that require complex character substitutions, this TrueType implementation provides straightforward encoding for numeric data.
Interleaved 2 of 5 encodes data by pairing digits — the first digit determines the bar widths while the second digit determines the space widths. This interleaving produces a compact, high-density barcode that’s roughly half the length of standard 2 of 5 codes. The font handles the mathematical relationship between these paired elements automatically when you type numeric sequences.
The file size typically ranges from 8-12KB, making it lightweight for system resources. As a TrueType font, it scales without quality degradation, which matters for barcode readability across different label sizes. You need an even number of digits for proper encoding — the symbology won’t work correctly with odd-length data strings unless you manually prepend a zero.
Font file by Chaos Microsystems Inc
Chaos Microsystems Inc. released i2of5txt.ttf as freeware during the late 1990s when barcode font solutions were expensive proprietary products. The company specialized in creating accessible barcode fonts that could function in standard word processors and spreadsheet applications. This particular implementation follows the specification detailed in our Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode guide, ensuring compatibility with commercial scanners.
The font file contains the complete character set needed for Interleaved 2 of 5 encoding, including start and stop patterns. Chaos Microsystems designed it with specific module widths — the narrow element measures exactly one unit while the wide element measures approximately 2.5 units, matching the industry standard 2.5:1 ratio for optimal scanner compatibility.
Most commercial barcode fonts cost $50-200 per license. This free implementation provides identical functionality for basic numeric encoding needs. The trade-off is minimal documentation and no technical support, but the straightforward nature of Interleaved 2 of 5 makes this largely irrelevant for experienced users.
Installation instructions
Windows installation requires copying the i2of5txt.ttf file to your Fonts directory. On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the font file and select “Install” or “Install for all users” if you have administrator privileges. The font appears in your application font menus immediately after installation — no system restart required.
Mac OS X users should double-click the .ttf file to open Font Book, then click “Install Font.” The font becomes available system-wide within seconds. For older Mac OS versions, manually copy the file to /Library/Fonts/ for system-wide access or ~/Library/Fonts/ for single-user installation.
Linux systems typically store fonts in /usr/share/fonts/truetype/ for system-wide installation or ~/.local/share/fonts/ for user-specific installation. After copying the file, run fc-cache -f -v to rebuild the font cache. Most desktop environments require logging out and back in before the font appears in application menus.
Verify installation by opening any text editor, selecting i2of5txt as the font, and typing a test string. The characters should immediately transform into barcode patterns. If you see standard alphanumeric characters instead of bars, the font didn’t install correctly or your application has cached the old font list.
Usage examples and guidelines
Start every barcode with an asterisk (*) character — this generates the mandatory start pattern. End with another asterisk for the stop pattern. Between these markers, type only numeric digits in pairs. For example, *1234* creates a valid four-digit Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode, while *123* won’t scan properly because three is an odd number.
The font size directly controls barcode dimensions. Test prints at different point sizes to determine what scans reliably with your equipment. Generally, 36-48 point produces acceptable results for close-range handheld scanners. Warehouse applications requiring distance scanning need 72+ point sizes. Print a test sheet and measure the narrow bar width with calipers — it should measure at least 0.010 inches for reliable scanning.
Add human-readable text below the barcode by typing the numeric sequence in a standard font on the line below. Most implementations place this in 8-10 point Arial or Helvetica. Include any check digits in both the barcode and human-readable portions. Unlike Code 39 which handles alphanumeric data, Interleaved 2 of 5 strictly encodes numbers, making manual verification straightforward.
Never stretch or compress the font using your application’s text formatting tools. This destroys the precise bar-space ratios that scanners expect. If you need different dimensions, change the point size instead. Maintain at least 10 times the narrow bar width as quiet zones (blank space) before the start pattern and after the stop pattern.
Compatible applications and systems
Microsoft Word, Excel, and other Office applications work perfectly with i2of5txt.ttf. Type your barcode data, highlight it, select the font from the dropdown menu, and adjust the size. Excel particularly shines for batch label creation — use a column for numeric data, apply the font, and print hundreds of labels from a single spreadsheet.
Adobe Creative Suite products including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop all support TrueType fonts for barcode generation. Designers appreciate this when creating packaging mockups or label templates. The vector nature of TrueType fonts means barcodes remain crisp at any resolution during export to PDF or print.
Label printing software from Bartender, NiceLabel, and Zebra Designer recognize i2of5txt.ttf as a system font. These applications provide additional features like automatic check digit calculation and database connectivity while using the font for actual barcode rendering. This creates a middle ground between free font-based solutions and expensive barcode generation libraries.
Web-to-print systems can use this font for dynamic barcode generation, though server-side barcode generation through programming libraries offers better control. The font approach works well for low-volume operations or situations where you’re already using font-based rendering for other elements.
Point-of-sale systems and inventory management software typically use their own internal barcode generation rather than fonts. But during development and testing, i2of5txt.ttf provides a quick way to create sample barcodes for database records or mockup screenshots without configuring the production barcode system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why doesn’t my barcode scan even though it prints correctly?
The most common issue is insufficient print quality. Laser printers produce better results than inkjet because the bars maintain sharp edges without ink bleeding. Check your printer settings — disable any “economode” or toner-saving features that reduce contrast. The barcode needs solid black bars on white background with clearly defined edges. Also verify you’re using even-length numeric strings between the start and stop characters. Finally, measure your quiet zones — you need at least 10X the narrow bar width of blank space on both sides.
Q: Can I generate Interleaved 2 of 5 barcodes with letters or special characters?
No. Interleaved 2 of 5 encodes only numeric digits 0-9. The symbology’s structure requires pairing digits where one determines bar widths and the other determines space widths. Letters and special characters have no defined encoding in the standard. If you need alphanumeric capability, consider Code 128 instead, which handles the full ASCII character set. For mixed alphanumeric-numeric applications, many operations use Code 128 for item identification and reserve Interleaved 2 of 5 for pure numeric sequences like shipping container codes where its high density provides advantages.
Q: Do I need to calculate check digits manually when using this font?
Yes. The i2of5txt.ttf font performs character-to-barcode conversion but doesn’t automatically calculate or append check digits. You must compute the modulo 10 check digit separately and include it in your typed string. Most implementations use a simple algorithm: multiply each digit by an alternating weight (3,1,3,1…), sum the results, and subtract from the next higher multiple of 10. Include this calculated digit before the stop character. Spreadsheet formulas or simple scripts handle this calculation efficiently for batch operations.