EAN-13 Barcode Generator
Create EAN-13 barcodes for retail products instantly. Free, fast, and secure.
Enter 12 digits (check digit will be calculated)
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What is an EAN-13 Barcode?
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the most widely used barcode format worldwide for retail products. It consists of 13 digits and includes a country code, manufacturer code, product code, and check digit. EAN-13 barcodes are used on virtually all consumer products sold in stores globally.
The 13-digit structure of an EAN-13 barcode breaks down into a GS1 country prefix (2-3 digits), a company number, a product reference, and a single check digit. This system allows over one trillion unique product identifiers worldwide. EAN-13 is governed by the GS1 organization and is accepted by retailers and e-commerce platforms in over 100 countries, making it the default choice for any product sold internationally.
Want to learn more about EAN-13 barcodes? Read our complete guide to EAN-13 for technical details, industry applications, and best practices.
How to Use This Generator
Creating an EAN-13 barcode is simple:
- Enter 12 or 13 digits (if you provide 12 digits, the check digit will be calculated automatically)
- Click 'Generate Barcode' to create your EAN-13 barcode
- Customize appearance using advanced options (optional)
- Download your barcode as SVG, PNG (multiple resolutions), or PDF
Technical Specifications
Key technical details for EAN-13:
| Data Capacity | Exactly 13 digits (12 data digits + 1 check digit) |
| Character Set | Numeric only (digits 0-9) |
| Symbol Size | Fixed width of 95 modules (standard size: 37.29 mm x 25.93 mm at 100% magnification) |
| Check Digit | Modulo 10 weighted checksum (calculated automatically) |
| Error Correction | Single check digit — no built-in error correction beyond the checksum |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 15420 (GS1 registered) |
Common Use Cases
EAN-13 barcodes are essential for:
- Retail product identification and point-of-sale scanning
- Inventory management and stock control systems
- International product distribution and e-commerce
- Books and publications using ISBN-13 encoded as EAN-13 barcodes
- Pharmaceutical products in markets where EAN-13 is the mandated format
Tips & Best Practices
Get the most out of your EAN-13 barcodes:
- Always verify your GS1 company prefix is valid before printing barcodes on product packaging — retailers will reject unregistered numbers.
- Print EAN-13 barcodes at 80-200% of the nominal size (standard is 100% at 37.29 mm wide). Going below 80% risks scan failures at the checkout.
- Use high-contrast color combinations (dark bars on a light background). Black on white gives the best scan reliability across all reader types.
- Leave clear quiet zones of at least 3.63 mm on the left and 2.31 mm on the right — these blank margins are required for scanners to detect the barcode edges.
Test Your Barcode
After generating your EAN-13 barcode, it's important to verify it works correctly before printing in bulk. Use our free barcode scanner to test your codes instantly - simply scan with your camera or upload an image to ensure proper encoding and readability. Test your barcode with our free scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this EAN-13 generator really free?
Yes, this EAN-13 barcode generator is 100% free. There are no usage limits, no account registration, and no watermarks on the barcodes you create. You can generate unlimited EAN-13 barcodes and download them as SVG, PNG, or PDF. Everything runs locally in your browser, so your data never leaves your device.
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is the global standard for retail products, while UPC-A uses 12 digits and is primarily used in the United States and Canada. Technically, UPC-A is a subset of EAN-13 — every UPC-A code can be expressed as an EAN-13 by adding a leading zero. Most modern point-of-sale systems accept both formats interchangeably.
Do I need to register with GS1 to use an EAN-13 barcode?
If you plan to sell products in retail stores or on major e-commerce platforms, yes — you need a GS1 company prefix to assign legitimate EAN-13 codes. GS1 registration ensures your product numbers are globally unique. For internal use, testing, or prototyping, you can generate EAN-13 barcodes here without GS1 registration.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?
The EAN-13 check digit uses a Modulo 10 algorithm. Starting from the rightmost digit (excluding the check digit), alternate digits are multiplied by 3 and 1, then summed. The check digit is the number needed to bring this sum to the next multiple of 10. Our generator calculates this automatically when you enter 12 digits.
Can I generate EAN-13 barcodes for Amazon or eBay?
You can create the barcode image here, but Amazon and eBay require that your EAN-13 numbers come from an authorized GS1 source. Both platforms verify barcodes against the GS1 registry, so purchased or randomly generated numbers will likely be rejected. Get your GS1 prefix first, then use this generator to produce print-ready barcode images.
What formats can I download my EAN-13 barcode in?
This generator supports three download formats: SVG (vector graphics that scale perfectly for print), PNG (raster images in multiple resolutions for screens and labels), and PDF (ready for direct printing). SVG is recommended for product packaging because it stays sharp at any size.