EAN-13 vs EAN-8: Which Product Barcode Do You Need?

EAN-13 is the standard barcode for retail products worldwide. EAN-8 is its compact version, same scanning technology, smaller footprint, designed for products too small to carry a full-size barcode. The choice between them is almost always straightforward: use EAN-13 unless your packaging physically cannot fit it. Here's why, and how to handle the cases where EAN-8 is the right call.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Physical Size: The Only Reason EAN-8 Exists

EAN-8 was created for one purpose: fitting a scannable retail barcode on packages too small for EAN-13. The size difference matters:

At nominal magnification (100%):

• EAN-13: 37.29mm wide x 25.93mm tall (including quiet zones and human-readable digits)
• EAN-8: 26.73mm wide x 21.64mm tall

At minimum allowed magnification (80%):

• EAN-13: 29.83mm wide x 20.74mm tall
• EAN-8: 21.38mm wide x 17.31mm tall

That 8.5mm width reduction at minimum size makes a real difference on a lipstick tube, a single-serve yogurt cup, a chewing gum pack, or a small cosmetics container. If 30mm of flat, printable surface isn't available, EAN-13 doesn't fit and EAN-8 is the answer.

When EAN-13 Fits (Almost Always)

The minimum EAN-13 at 80% magnification is about 30mm x 21mm. That fits on:

• Any standard retail box or bag
• Most bottles and jars (on the flat label area)
• Blister packs and card-backed packaging
• Books and media
• Canned goods

If your packaging has 30mm of available flat width, use EAN-13. Don't use EAN-8 by choice. It's harder to obtain and provides less product identification data.

When You Need EAN-8

GS1 guidelines say EAN-8 is appropriate when total packaging surface area is under 80cm² or the available width for a barcode is under 25mm. Typical products:

• Lip balm and lipstick tubes
• Individual candy bars and chewing gum
• Small cosmetic items (mascara, sample sizes)
• Single-portion condiment packets
• Small batteries
• Individual tea bags or sachets (when individually sold)

Number Structure Differences

EAN-13 Number Anatomy

  [GS1 Prefix]  [Company Prefix]  [Product Code]  [Check]
      3 digits     4-8 digits       1-5 digits      1 digit
  Example:  590  +  12345  +  00012  +  8

Your GS1 Company Prefix identifies your company. You assign product codes within your prefix. One prefix covers all your products, whether that's 10, 100, or thousands depending on the prefix length you purchased.

EAN-8 Number Anatomy

  [GS1 Prefix]  [Item Reference]  [Check]
     2-3 digits     4-5 digits      1 digit
  Example:  50  +  12345  +  7

There's no company prefix. Each EAN-8 number is allocated individually by your GS1 organization. The number doesn't identify your company; it only identifies the specific product. This means:

• You can't assign new EAN-8 numbers yourself
• Each new product requires a new allocation from GS1
• There's no built-in link between your EAN-13 and EAN-8 numbers

What This Means in Practice

If you have 50 products and 3 of them are too small for EAN-13:

• Register a GS1 Company Prefix, then assign EAN-13 numbers to 47 products
• Apply separately for 3 individual EAN-8 allocations
• Your systems need to handle both number types

Encoding Differences

Both formats use the same bar/space encoding concepts, but with different structures:

EAN-13 Encoding

EAN-13 uses a clever trick: the first digit isn't encoded in bars at all. Instead, it's embedded in the parity pattern used to encode digits 2-7. The left half uses two encoding sets (L and G patterns) whose combination determines the first digit. The right half uses R patterns.

This is why EAN-13 barcodes look like they only have 12 digits in the bar pattern. The 13th digit (the leading country code digit) is encoded as a parity selection.

EAN-8 Encoding

EAN-8 is simpler. All 8 digits are encoded directly in bars:

• First 4 digits: L encoding (left half)
• Last 4 digits: R encoding (right half)

No parity tricks. The entire number is explicit in the bar pattern.

Scanner Implications

Scanners distinguish EAN-13 from EAN-8 by the total number of modules:

• EAN-13: 95 modules wide
• EAN-8: 67 modules wide

Recognition is instant and automatic. Both formats use the same guard bar patterns (101 for start/end, 01010 for center), so the scanner identifies the format by width before decoding begins.

Registration and Cost

For GS1 registration details, see our guide on how to get a barcode for your product.

Conversion and Compatibility

EAN-8 to EAN-13 Conversion

EAN-8 numbers can be expressed as 13-digit GTINs by padding with leading zeros:

This 13-digit representation is used in databases and supply chain systems that standardize on the 14-digit GTIN format (padded to 14 digits with one more leading zero). The physical barcode remains EAN-8.

Scanning Interoperability

Both formats are read by every retail scanner worldwide. The scanner output may differ by configuration:

• Some scanners output EAN-8 as 8 digits, EAN-13 as 13 digits
• Some scanners zero-pad EAN-8 to 13 digits automatically
• POS systems typically handle both formats. Check your system's documentation

Printing and Placement

EAN-13 Placement Rules

• Place on the back of the package, lower right quadrant preferred
• Bars should run parallel to the package base (ladder orientation) on cylindrical packages to prevent scanning over the curvature
• Maintain quiet zones: at least 3.63mm on each side at nominal magnification

EAN-8 Placement Rules

Same rules as EAN-13, with one practical difference: EAN-8 barcodes are often placed on the narrowest available flat surface, sometimes on the bottom of very small products. Because the barcode is smaller, placement on curved surfaces is more forgiving. But a flat surface is always better for scanning reliability.

For print quality standards, see our barcode quality verification guide.

Decision Flowchart

1. Is your packaging surface area under 80cm²?

   • No → Use EAN-13
   • Yes → Continue

2. Is the available flat width for a barcode under 25mm?

   • No → EAN-13 at 80% magnification may still fit. Measure carefully
   • Yes → EAN-8 is appropriate

3. Apply for EAN-8 allocation from your GS1 organization

In practice, fewer than 5% of retail products use EAN-8. If you're unsure, start with EAN-13. Your GS1 organization can advise if EAN-8 is justified for specific products.

Generate Your Barcodes

Create barcodes in either format with our free generators:

• EAN-13 Generator — enter 12 digits (check digit calculated automatically)
• EAN-8 Generator — enter 7 digits (check digit calculated automatically)

Download as SVG for packaging design, PNG for label printing, or PDF for print shop submissions.

Related Guides

• EAN-13 Complete Guide — full technical reference for EAN-13
• EAN-8 Complete Guide — full technical reference for EAN-8
• EAN-13 vs UPC-A — comparing international and North American retail formats
• How to Get a Barcode for Your Product — GS1 registration walkthrough
• UPC-A vs UPC-E — the North American equivalent of this EAN size comparison
• Choosing the Right Barcode Type — decision guide across all formats