How it works
- Enter the number, with or without spaces.
- Check the panel under the box: check digit added, check digit valid, or check digit wrong with the correct digit.
- Download the PNG or SVG, or print the EAN-13 barcode on its own.
What the 13 digits mean
- The first two or three digits are the GS1 prefix of the GS1 office that issued the company prefix. They do not show where the product was made.
- The company prefix continues from there and identifies the brand owner. Its length varies from company to company.
- The item reference identifies the product within that company.
- The last digit is the check digit.
Calculating an EAN-13 check digit
Take the first 12 digits, such as 629104150021 from the GS1 example. Multiply them by 1 and 3 in turn from the left, so the 12th digit gets a 3. The products 6, 6, 9, 3, 0, 12, 1, 15, 0, 0, 2 and 3 add up to 57. Subtract that from 60, the next multiple of ten, and the check digit is 3.
Book numbers: 978 and 979
EAN-13 numbers that start with 978 or 979 are ISBNs for books, and part of the 979 range is used for printed music. A 13 digit ISBN is already an EAN-13, so you can enter it here as it is. To convert an ISBN-10 or add a price add-on, use the ISBN barcode generator.
EAN-13, UPC-A and EAN-8
A 12 digit UPC-A number becomes an EAN-13 when you add a 0 in front, and the two barcodes have identical bars, so you can also use the UPC barcode generator for those. EAN-8 is a shorter 8 digit code for packs too small for an EAN-13, and you can make one in the main barcode generator.
Printing tips for EAN-13
- The GS1 specifications ask for at least 11 modules of light space on the left of an EAN-13 and 7 on the right. The default here is 12 on both sides.
- With the digits shown, the first digit sits in the left margin outside the bars, as it does on printed packaging.
- Print one test label and scan it with the device you will use before printing a full run.
More barcode formats
- Barcode generator with every format, including EAN-8
- UPC barcode generator for 12 digit UPC-A codes
- Code 39 barcode generator for simple ID labels
- ISBN barcode generator with a price add-on
- Check digit calculator that shows each step
- ITF-14 barcode generator for outer cartons
- Data Matrix generator for healthcare and parts labels
- Aztec code generator for event and travel tickets
- PDF417 generator for documents and cards
Frequently asked questions
Should I enter 12 or 13 digits?
Either works. With 12 digits the tool adds the check digit, and with 13 it checks yours and shows the correct digit if it is wrong.
Does the first part show the country of origin?
No. The prefix shows which GS1 office issued the company prefix, not where the product was made.
Can I use an EAN-13 for a book?
Yes. A 13 digit ISBN starting with 978 or 979 is a valid EAN-13, so you can enter it unchanged.
Where do I get an EAN-13 number?
From the GS1 member organisation in your country, which licenses numbers to companies. Barcodes made here are fine for testing and for internal use with numbers you control.
Can I turn a UPC-A into an EAN-13?
Yes. Add a 0 in front of the 12 digits and enter the 13 digit result here, and the bars will match the UPC-A barcode.