Free EAN-13 Barcode Generator
Enter 12 digits and get a standard EAN-13 barcode with the check digit added automatically. Download PNG for labels or SVG for packaging artwork.
Choose a barcode format
Enter the data
Adjust the appearance
Preview your barcode
Shown on a product label
Overview
What is an EAN-13 barcode?
An EAN-13 barcode is the 13-digit product barcode used on retail goods around the world outside North America. The number is a GTIN-13: the first digits are a GS1 country or company prefix, followed by the product number and a final check digit. Checkouts everywhere — including in the US today — can read it.
Books use the same format with ISBN numbers starting with 978 or 979, and magazines with 977. As with UPC, the bars only hold the number; to sell through retailers or marketplaces, the number must be licensed to your company by your local GS1 organisation. The generator draws the code to the standard and adds the check digit.
The code is printed as 95 modules: guard bars at the start, middle and end, with six digits on each side. The first digit is not drawn as bars of its own; it is encoded in the pattern of the left half. That is why the check digit matters so much — one wrong digit changes the whole pattern.
Use cases
Where EAN-13 is used
Every product that is sold at a till or listed on a marketplace.
Retail worldwide
Supermarkets, pharmacies and shops in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America scan it.
Marketplaces
Amazon EU and other marketplaces ask for an EAN when listing products.
Packaging
Print it on boxes, bottles, tags and stickers straight from your design files.
Books and magazines
ISBN and ISSN numbers use the same symbology on covers.
Wholesale and export
Importers and distributors require codes before they accept products.
Small brands
Makers moving from markets to shop shelves add codes for the first time.
How it works
How to create an EAN-13 barcode
You need a GTIN-13 from GS1 for retail use.
- 1
Get your number
License a company prefix from your local GS1 and assign a number to each product variant.
- 2
Enter 12 or 13 digits
Type 12 digits to have the check digit added, or 13 to have it verified.
- 3
Download and print
Download SVG for packaging or PNG for labels, and keep it black on white with clear margins.
Best practices
Tips for retail-ready codes
A rejected shipment costs more than doing it right first.
Respect the size range
Print between 80% and 200% of 37.3 × 25.9 mm and never cut the bar height.
Avoid curved surfaces
On bottles and cans, turn the code so bars run around the curve, not along it.
Check digit errors mean wrong data
If the 13th digit does not match, a digit was mistyped. Fix the number instead of forcing the check digit.
Keep a list of your numbers
Record which number belongs to which product, size and color in a spreadsheet. It prevents duplicates and makes marketplace listings much easier.
Print the digits underneath
Leave the human-readable text on. Cashiers type the digits when a scan fails, and some retailers require the text by contract.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is an EAN-13 barcode?
- An EAN-13 barcode is the 13-digit retail barcode used worldwide. It encodes a GTIN-13 that identifies your company and product, and ends with a check digit.
How do I get an EAN-13 barcode for my product?
- Join your local GS1 to license a company prefix, assign a number to the product and generate the EAN-13 barcode image here.
Can I get an EAN-13 barcode for free?
- The image is free here. The number usually is not: GS1 charges a membership fee. Free or resold numbers are often rejected by retailers.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?
- Multiply digits in even positions by 3 and odd positions by 1, add them up and choose the check digit that rounds the total to the next multiple of 10.
Is EAN-13 the same as GTIN-13?
- GTIN-13 is the number; EAN-13 is the barcode symbology that encodes it. In everyday use the two terms are interchangeable.
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
- UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mainly in North America; EAN-13 has 13. A UPC-A number becomes an EAN-13 by adding a leading zero.
Which products can use EAN-13?
- Any trade item sold at retail: food, cosmetics, clothing, electronics, books and more. Shipping cartons use ITF-14 or GS1-128 instead.
What do the first digits mean?
- They are the GS1 prefix of the organisation that issued the number, not necessarily the country where the product was made.
Can I generate EAN-13 in Excel?
- Barcode fonts need a formula for guard bars and the check digit. Generate the image here and insert it instead.
What about EAN-8?
- EAN-8 is a short 8-digit version for very small packages. Select EAN-8 from the format buttons in the generator.
Is the EAN-13 generator free?
- Yes. Unlimited codes, PNG and SVG, no watermark and no sign-up.
Why does my code not scan at the store?
- Common causes are low contrast, a size below 80%, truncated bars or a number not registered to you. Fix the print first, then check the GS1 registration.
Can I use EAN-13 in the United States?
- Yes. US retail systems have read 13-digit codes since 2005, so products from abroad can keep their code. Some retailers still prefer UPC-A for domestic suppliers.
Do I need a code for each pack size?
- Yes. Every variant sold on its own needs its own number. Cartons containing several units get a different number, often printed as ITF-14.
Where should I put the code on the pack?
- On a flat area of the back or bottom panel, away from folds and edges. On bottles, rotate it so the bars run around the curve.