EAN-13 Barcode Guide: Format, Check Digit, and Examples
EAN-13 Barcode Guide
EAN-13 is the standard barcode format used on most retail products outside North America. If a product is sold through supermarkets, online marketplaces, distributors, or point-of-sale systems, EAN-13 is often the barcode format people expect to see.
Use the EAN-13 barcode generator when you already have a valid 12 or 13 digit product number and need to create a printable barcode image.
What Is an EAN-13 Barcode?
An EAN-13 barcode encodes 13 numeric digits. It is part of the GTIN family of product identifiers and is designed for fast retail scanning.
The 13 digits usually represent:
- A GS1 prefix or country/company prefix
- A company or manufacturer identifier
- A product reference
- A final check digit
The visual barcode includes guard bars and encoded digit patterns so scanners can read the number from printed packaging, labels, or product tags.
EAN-13 Format
EAN-13 only supports numbers. Letters, spaces, and punctuation are not valid in an EAN-13 barcode.
Typical examples:
400638133393159012341234579780201379624
If you enter 12 digits, many barcode tools can calculate the 13th check digit automatically. If you enter all 13 digits, the final digit should match the calculated checksum.
How the EAN-13 Check Digit Works
The check digit helps scanners detect typing or printing errors. It is calculated from the first 12 digits.
The basic process is:
- Add the digits in odd positions.
- Add the digits in even positions and multiply that sum by 3.
- Add both results together.
- The check digit is the number needed to reach the next multiple of 10.
For 400638133393:
- Odd-position sum:
4 + 0 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 9 = 20 - Even-position sum:
0 + 6 + 8 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 23 - Weighted total:
20 + (23 * 3) = 89 - Next multiple of 10:
90 - Check digit:
1
The full EAN-13 number is 4006381333931.
EAN-13 vs UPC-A
EAN-13 and UPC-A are closely related. UPC-A uses 12 digits and is common in the United States and Canada. EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is common internationally.
In many retail systems, a UPC-A can be represented as an EAN-13 by adding a leading zero. For example:
- UPC-A:
012345678905 - EAN-13 representation:
0012345678905
Use the UPC-A barcode generator when your product identifier is a UPC-A number. Use EAN-13 when your product identifier is a 13 digit GTIN or EAN.
When to Use EAN-13
EAN-13 is usually the right choice for:
- Retail product labels
- Packaged goods
- Books that use ISBN-13 numbers
- Marketplace product listings
- Inventory systems that store GTIN-13 values
It is usually not the best choice for:
- Internal serial numbers with letters
- Long warehouse labels
- Shipping labels with application identifiers
- Very small packages that need a compact symbol
For mixed letters and numbers, use Code 128. For supply chain labels with application identifiers, use GS1-128.
How to Generate an EAN-13 Barcode
- Open the free EAN-13 barcode generator.
- Enter one EAN-13 number per line.
- Use 12 digits if you want the generator to calculate the check digit.
- Keep "Show Text" enabled if the barcode will be printed for manual checking.
- Download the barcode as SVG for print layouts or PNG for quick use.
For bulk generation, paste multiple EAN-13 values with one number per line.
Printing Tips
For reliable scanning:
- Keep enough quiet space on the left and right of the barcode.
- Use black bars on a white or very light background.
- Avoid stretching the barcode after export.
- Use SVG when placing barcodes into professional print artwork.
- Test the printed barcode with the scanner that will be used in production.
Common EAN-13 Problems
The barcode will not scan
Common causes include low contrast, missing quiet zones, a barcode printed too small, or image distortion after resizing.
The number is rejected
Check that the value contains only digits. If you entered 13 digits, verify that the final check digit is correct.
I need letters in the barcode
EAN-13 cannot encode letters. Use Code 128 for alphanumeric data.