EAN-13 Barcode Generator – Free Online Tool
Generate EAN-13 barcodes instantly — no signup required, completely free. Enter your 12-digit product number, preview the barcode in real time, and download it as a PNG. Check digit is calculated automatically. All processing happens in your browser.
Format
Check digit: 0 → 0123456789050
What is EAN-13?
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode standard used in retail and commerce across more than 100 countries. Introduced in 1976 as an extension of the North American UPC system, EAN-13 is now managed by GS1 — a global standards organization — and serves as the international product identification standard for consumer goods.
The 13-digit number has a defined structure. The first 2–3 digits form the GS1 country prefix, which indicates the country where the manufacturer registered. The next group of digits is the company prefix assigned to the manufacturer by their national GS1 organization. The product reference digits uniquely identify the individual item within the manufacturer catalog. The final digit is a check digit, calculated using the Modulo 10 algorithm, that allows scanners to detect transcription errors.
Unlike Code 128 or QR codes, EAN-13 encodes only the 13-digit number itself — no additional text or metadata. The fixed structure ensures global uniqueness and interoperability with point-of-sale systems in every retail market around the world.
How to Get an EAN-13 Number
To obtain legitimate EAN-13 numbers for retail products, you must become a member of GS1 — the organization that administers the global barcode numbering system. The process works as follows:
- Join your national GS1 organization. Each country has a GS1 member organization (e.g., GS1 US, GS1 UK, GS1 Germany). You register with the organization in your country of operation.
- Receive a GS1 Company Prefix. GS1 assigns you a unique company prefix — a sequence of digits that forms the start of all your product barcodes. The prefix length determines how many product numbers you can create.
- Assign product reference numbers. You create a unique reference number for each product variant (color, size, packaging type). Combined with your company prefix, this forms the first 12 digits of your EAN-13.
- Calculate the check digit. The 13th digit is derived mathematically from the first 12 using the Modulo 10 algorithm. This generator calculates it for you automatically.
GS1 membership fees vary by country and are typically based on annual revenue and the number of product identifiers needed. For small businesses selling fewer than 10 products, entry-level memberships are available at reduced cost. Contact your national GS1 organization for current pricing.
EAN-13 vs UPC-A
EAN-13 and UPC-A are closely related formats. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right barcode for your target market:
| Feature | EAN-13 | UPC-A |
|---|---|---|
| Primary region | Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania (100+ countries) | United States and Canada |
| Digit count | 13 digits | 12 digits |
| Compatibility | UPC-A is a subset of EAN-13 (leading zero makes them equivalent) | Most modern scanners also read EAN-13 |
| Country prefix | 2–3 digit GS1 country prefix | No country prefix (implied US/Canada) |
| Managed by | GS1 (global) | GS1 US |
| Retail adoption | Required by most international retailers | Required by US/Canadian retailers |
Check Digit Calculator
The 13th digit of an EAN-13 barcode is a check digit calculated using the Modulo 10 (Luhn-variant) algorithm. It allows barcode scanners to detect single-digit read errors. Here is the step-by-step calculation for the number 590123412345:
| Position | Digit | Multiplier | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | ×1 | 5 |
| 2 | 9 | ×3 | 27 |
| 3 | 0 | ×1 | 0 |
| 4 | 1 | ×3 | 3 |
| 5 | 2 | ×1 | 2 |
| 6 | 3 | ×3 | 9 |
| 7 | 4 | ×1 | 4 |
| 8 | 1 | ×3 | 3 |
| 9 | 2 | ×1 | 2 |
| 10 | 3 | ×3 | 9 |
| 11 | 4 | ×1 | 4 |
| 12 | 5 | ×3 | 15 |
- Sum all products: 5 + 27 + 0 + 3 + 2 + 9 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 9 + 4 + 15 = 83
- Find the remainder: 83 mod 10 = 3
- Subtract from 10: 10 − 3 = 7
- Check digit: 7 — so the full EAN-13 is
5901234123457
If the subtraction result is 10, the check digit is 0. This generator performs this calculation automatically so you only need to enter the first 12 digits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EAN-13 barcode?▾
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode standard used worldwide to identify retail products. It was introduced in 1976 as an extension of the American UPC-A system and is now managed by GS1, a global standards organization. EAN-13 barcodes are printed on virtually every consumer product sold in Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. The 13-digit structure encodes a country prefix, manufacturer code, product reference, and a check digit that validates the barcode.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?▾
The check digit is calculated using the Modulo 10 algorithm. Take the first 12 digits, multiply alternating digits by 1 and 3 starting from the left, sum all the products, find the remainder when dividing by 10, then subtract from 10 (if the result is 10, use 0). This generator calculates the check digit automatically — you only need to enter the first 12 digits.
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?▾
EAN-13 is a 13-digit format used globally, while UPC-A is a 12-digit format used primarily in the United States and Canada. EAN-13 is actually a superset of UPC-A: a UPC-A barcode is equivalent to an EAN-13 barcode with a leading zero. Most modern barcode scanners can read both formats. If you are selling products internationally, EAN-13 is the standard to use, as GS1 allocates country prefixes for each member country.
Do I need to purchase an EAN-13 number?▾
Yes. If you plan to sell products in retail stores, you need to obtain a GS1 Company Prefix from your national GS1 organization. GS1 charges a membership fee based on the size of your company and the number of product identifiers you need. This gives you a globally unique manufacturer code that forms the basis of your EAN-13 numbers. For personal, internal, or testing purposes, this free generator can produce valid-looking EAN-13 barcodes without a GS1 membership.
What industries use EAN-13 barcodes?▾
EAN-13 is the dominant product identification standard in retail, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, books (ISBN is encoded as EAN-13), and electronics. Nearly every consumer product sold in a European or Asian supermarket has an EAN-13 barcode. Libraries use EAN-13 to encode ISBNs on book covers. Healthcare distributors use EAN-13 on drug packaging. Publishers use the format to encode ISBNs and pricing on book jackets.
Can EAN-13 barcodes encode letters or special characters?▾
No. EAN-13 encodes only numerical digits (0–9). The 13-digit number must consist entirely of digits. This is different from Code 128 or Code 39, which can encode alphanumeric data. EAN-13 is specifically designed for fixed-length product identification in retail supply chains, where the number structure is standardized by GS1 to ensure global uniqueness.
What is the minimum print size for an EAN-13 barcode?▾
The GS1 specification recommends a nominal size of 37.29 mm wide by 26.26 mm tall at 100% magnification. The minimum acceptable size is 80% of nominal (about 29.8 mm wide), and the maximum is 200% (about 74.6 mm wide). The X-dimension (narrowest bar width) at 100% is 0.330 mm. Printing below minimum size risks scan failures in retail environments. Always include quiet zones of at least 3.48 mm on the left and 2.31 mm on the right.