Free EAN Barcode Generator

What is an EAN Barcode?

EAN (European Article Number), now officially known as International Article Number, is the global standard for product barcodes administered by GS1. EAN-13 is used on virtually all consumer products sold outside North America, and is increasingly accepted by US and Canadian retailers as well. The EAN system was developed in 1976 as an extension of the UPC system to support international trade.

There are two main EAN variants: EAN-13 (the standard 13-digit format used on most retail products) and EAN-8 (a compressed 8-digit format for small packages where a full EAN-13 won't fit, such as lipstick, batteries, or small candy bars).

EAN-13 Structure Explained

An EAN-13 barcode consists of three parts:

• GS1 Prefix (digits 1–3): Identifies the country or region of the GS1 member organization. For example, 978/979 = Bookland (books), 200–299 = in-store use.
• Company & Product Code (digits 4–12): Assigned by your national GS1 organization to uniquely identify your company and product.
• Check Digit (digit 13): Calculated automatically using a modulo-10 algorithm to validate the barcode was scanned correctly.

EAN-13 vs UPC-A: Key Differences

EAN-13 and UPC-A are closely related. A UPC-A barcode is technically a valid EAN-13 barcode with a leading zero prepended. This means:

• A scanner set to read EAN-13 will also read UPC-A (with a leading zero)
• EAN-13 has a broader international scope
• UPC-A is specific to North American retail (US and Canada)
• Most modern POS systems and online marketplaces accept both

If you're selling internationally, EAN-13 is the preferred choice. If you're selling exclusively in North America, UPC-A may be sufficient — though EAN-13 is increasingly common in US retail chains like Walmart and Target.

EAN-8: When to Use It

EAN-8 barcodes are used when the product is too small to accommodate a full EAN-13 barcode. The maximum EAN-8 barcode is about 26.7mm wide, compared to 37.29mm for EAN-13 at normal magnification. Common applications include:

• Small cosmetics (lipstick, nail polish)
• Batteries and small electronics
• Candy bars and small confectionery
• In-store or private label products

How to Get an EAN Number

To obtain a legitimate EAN number for commercial use, you must register with your national GS1 organization. GS1 is the international non-profit that manages barcode standards worldwide. The process involves:

1. Register at gs1.org or your local GS1 member organization
2. Receive a GS1 company prefix unique to your business
3. Assign individual product numbers within your prefix
4. Use this generator to create the barcode image from your number

Note: Free or low-cost EAN numbers from resellers are not accepted by major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and most European supermarkets, which require GS1-issued codes.

GS1 Country Prefix Reference

The first 2–3 digits of an EAN-13 barcode indicate the GS1 member organization:

• 00–13: United States and Canada (UPC compatible)
• 30–37: France
• 40–44: Germany
• 45, 49: Japan
• 50: United Kingdom
• 54: Belgium and Luxembourg
• 64: Finland
• 69: China
• 70: Norway
• 73: Sweden
• 978–979: Bookland (books and publications, used with ISBN)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many digits do I enter?

For EAN-13: enter 12 digits and the check digit is calculated automatically. Or enter all 13 digits. For EAN-8: enter 7 digits (check digit auto-calculated) or all 8.

What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?

EAN-13 is essentially UPC-A with a leading zero. Most barcode scanners can read both. EAN-13 is the international standard; UPC-A is North America specific.

Can I use EAN-13 on Amazon?

Yes. Amazon accepts EAN-13 for international sellers. The barcode number must be a legitimate GS1-issued code — Amazon's catalog system verifies authenticity. This generator creates the barcode image once you have a valid number.

Is EAN-8 the same as EAN-13?

No. EAN-8 is a shorter 8-digit format for small packages. The two formats are not interchangeable — you must choose the correct format based on your product's registered barcode number and package size.