Free EAN-8 Barcode Generator
Make an EAN-8 barcode for products too small for EAN-13 — lipsticks, sweets, pens. Enter 7 digits, we add the check digit, you download PNG or SVG.
Choose a barcode format
Enter the data
Adjust the appearance
Preview your barcode
Shown on a product label
Overview
What is an EAN-8 barcode?
An EAN-8 barcode is the short version of the international retail barcode. It encodes eight digits — a GS1 prefix, an item reference and a check digit — in a symbol about two thirds the width of an EAN-13. It exists for one reason: some products are too small to carry a full-size EAN-13 without covering the label, so GS1 issues short EAN-8 numbers for them.
Checkout scanners read EAN-8 as easily as EAN-13. Because short numbers are scarce, GS1 organisations usually issue them one at a time, only when a product really has no room for an EAN-13. Numbers starting with 0 or 2 are reserved for internal use, such as in-store items and private labels, and are never seen outside the shop that created them.
The generator draws the bars to the standard, computes the check digit and lets you set the height, colors and human-readable digits. The bars only carry the number. For retail and trading partners, the number itself must come from GS1.
Use cases
Where EAN-8 is used
Small items that still go through a retail checkout.
Cosmetics
Lipsticks, nail polish and sample sizes with very little label space.
Confectionery
Small sweets, chewing gum and single bars.
Stationery
Pens, erasers and other small office items.
Small household items
Batteries, lighters and spare parts in tiny packs.
Pharmacy products
Small tubes and sachets where a full barcode does not fit.
In-store labels
Restricted-circulation numbers for items sold only in one chain.
How it works
How to create an EAN-8 barcode
All you need is the 7-digit number.
- 1
Get your number
Apply to your local GS1 for an EAN-8 number, or use a restricted-circulation number for internal use.
- 2
Enter 7 or 8 digits
Type 7 digits to have the check digit added, or all 8 to have it verified.
- 3
Adjust and download
Set the bar height and colors, keep the digits visible, and download PNG or SVG.
Best practices
Tips for small barcodes
Short barcodes are printed small, so quality matters.
Do not shrink below 80%
The nominal width is about 26.7 mm. Printing smaller than 80% risks failed scans at the till.
Keep the height
Do not cut the bars short to save space; truncated codes fail on omnidirectional scanners.
Use SVG for packaging
Vector files keep bar widths exact when the designer scales the label.
Black on white
High contrast is even more important when the code is small.
Proof with a real scanner
Phone apps are forgiving. Before a print run, check a proof with the kind of laser scanner used at checkouts, or ask your printer for a barcode verification report.
Prefer EAN-13 when it fits
Short numbers are limited. If an EAN-13 fits on the pack, use it instead.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is an EAN-8 barcode?
- An EAN-8 barcode is an 8-digit retail barcode for products too small for an EAN-13. Checkout scanners read it like any other product barcode.
How do I create an EAN-8 barcode?
- Select EAN-8 in the generator above, enter 7 digits and download. The check digit is calculated automatically.
How do I get an EAN-8 number?
- Apply to your local GS1 organisation. EAN-8 numbers are usually issued individually and only when the pack is too small for an EAN-13.
How is the EAN-8 check digit calculated?
- Digits in odd positions are multiplied by 3 and added to the even-position digits; the check digit brings the total up to the next multiple of 10.
Can I convert an EAN-13 to EAN-8?
- No. They are different numbers. EAN-8 numbers are issued separately by GS1.
What is the difference between EAN-8 and UPC-E?
- Both are short retail codes. EAN-8 is an independent 8-digit number; UPC-E is a compressed form of a UPC-A number used mainly in North America.
Can I use EAN-8 for internal products?
- Yes. Numbers starting with 0 or 2 are reserved for restricted circulation, such as items sold only in your own shops.
What size should an EAN-8 barcode be?
- About 26.7 × 21.6 mm at 100%. Stay within 80–200% and do not cut the height.
Is the EAN-8 generator free?
- Yes. Unlimited barcodes in PNG and SVG, with no watermark or sign-up.
Do online marketplaces accept EAN-8?
- Many accept any valid GTIN, including GTIN-8, but check the marketplace’s rules and make sure the number is registered to you.
Can I add a 2 or 5-digit add-on?
- Add-ons are rarely used with EAN-8 and are not offered here. Most retailers do not need them.
Why does my EAN-8 not scan?
- Common causes are printing too small, low contrast, a missing quiet zone or a wrong check digit.
Can I print EAN-8 on a curved surface?
- Yes, but rotate it so the bars run around the curve, not along it, so the scanner sees every bar.
Who needs an EAN-8 instead of an EAN-13?
- Brands whose packaging is genuinely too small for a full-size code. GS1 usually asks you to show that an EAN-13 would cover too much of the label before issuing a short number.
What file format should I use?
- SVG for packaging artwork; PNG at a large size for labels and documents.