EAN-13 Barcode Generator – The Global Standard for Retail Products
What Is an EAN-13 Barcode?
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the most widely used barcode symbology in global retail. Originally developed by the International Article Numbering Association in 1977, it encodes a 13-digit number into a pattern of vertical bars and spaces that point-of-sale scanners read at checkout.
Although "European" appears in the name, EAN-13 is the de facto standard in over 100 countries outside North America. It is administered by GS1, the global standards organisation, and every product sold in a retail environment – from groceries to electronics – typically carries an EAN-13 barcode on its packaging.
The EAN-13 symbology is a superset of UPC-A: every 12-digit UPC-A code can be expressed as a 13-digit EAN by prefixing a zero. This interoperability means that EAN-13 scanners can read UPC-A codes and vice versa, making cross-border commerce seamless.
Technical Specifications
Understanding the structure of an EAN-13 barcode helps you assign numbers correctly and troubleshoot scanning issues:
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Digits | 13 (12 data + 1 check digit) |
| Character set | Numeric only (0–9) |
| Structure | GS1 prefix (2–3 digits) + company number + item reference + check digit |
| Check digit algorithm | Modulo 10 (alternating weights 1 and 3) |
| Symbology type | Linear (1D), continuous |
| Minimum module width | 0.264 mm at 100% magnification (SC2) |
| Encoding | 3 guard patterns + 6 left-hand digits (parity encoded) + 6 right-hand digits |
The first digit is not encoded in the bars directly but is instead represented by the parity pattern of the left-hand digit group – an elegant technique that allowed the original 12-digit EAN to be extended to 13 digits without changing the physical bar structure.
Common Use Cases for EAN-13
- • Retail point of sale: Every supermarket, department store and e-commerce warehouse uses EAN-13 for checkout scanning and inventory management.
- • Books and publications: ISBN-13 barcodes are a specialised form of EAN-13 with the prefix 978 or 979, enabling bookshops and libraries to catalogue titles globally.
- • Magazines and periodicals: ISSN barcodes for serial publications use the EAN-13 format with prefix 977.
- • Wholesale and logistics: Case-level identification in distribution centres often relies on EAN-13 alongside ITF-14 for outer cartons.
- • Internal numbering: GS1 prefixes starting with 20–29 are reserved for internal store use, allowing retailers to create their own EAN-13 codes for weighed produce, bakery items or deli products.
How to Create an EAN-13 Barcode
- 1. Open the Barcode Generator and select EAN-13 from the barcode type list.
- 2. Enter your 12-digit number (the check digit is calculated automatically) or the full 13-digit GTIN.
- 3. Adjust bar width, height and quiet zone settings to meet your packaging requirements.
- 4. Download the barcode as a high-resolution image and verify it with a scanner before printing.
The generator runs entirely in your browser – no data is uploaded to any server, and you can create as many barcodes as you need without registration.
EAN-13 vs UPC-A – What’s the Difference?
| Feature | EAN-13 | UPC-A |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 13 | 12 |
| Region | Global (dominant outside North America) | United States & Canada |
| Compatibility | UPC-A is a subset (prefix 0) | Can be converted to EAN-13 |
| Governing body | GS1 (global) | GS1 US |
Since 2005, all point-of-sale systems worldwide have been required to accept both EAN-13 and UPC-A. If you sell internationally, EAN-13 is the recommended choice because it accommodates all country prefixes without conversion.
Related Topics
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