What is Barcode Generator EAN?

EAN Barcode Generator creates EAN-13 and EAN-8 barcodes for retail products. EAN (European Article Number) is the international standard for product identification, used by retailers and marketplaces worldwide.

EAN-13 is the 13-digit code you see on almost every grocery, book, and electronics package outside North America. The first 2 or 3 digits are the GS1 country prefix, the next block identifies the manufacturer, and the last digit is a checksum the scanner validates. EAN-8 is reserved for small items where 13 digits will not fit cleanly.

How to use

1. Select EAN-13 (13 digits, standard products) or EAN-8 (8 digits, small packages) and enter your product number. The check digit is calculated automatically.
2. Preview the barcode with the number displayed below. Customise bar dimensions, toggle the human-readable text, and rotate to 90, 180, or 270 degrees when you need a portrait label.
3. Download as PNG, SVG, or PDF. EAN barcodes must meet specific size requirements for retail, so use SVG or PDF for scalable, print-ready output.

When to use

• Labelling retail products before submitting them to a marketplace such as Amazon or Tesco.
• Reprinting a barcode that has worn off a returned product without rebuying a GS1 number.
• Generating EAN-8 codes for tiny packaging like lip balm or cosmetic samples where EAN-13 is too wide.

Result

Try '5901234123457' (EAN-13) to see what a standard product barcode looks like.

FAQ

Do I need to buy an EAN number from GS1 to use it in stores?

Yes, if you plan to sell through major retailers or marketplaces, the prefix must be registered to your company through your local GS1 office. The generator here builds the barcode image from any 12 digits, but only registered codes will scan against a retailer's database.

What does the country prefix on the left of an EAN-13 actually tell me?

It identifies which GS1 office issued the prefix, not where the product was made. A 590 prefix means the code was issued in Poland; the goods themselves can be manufactured anywhere. The lookup beside the input shows the issuing region for any code you enter.

Why does the check digit change when I edit one of the earlier digits?

The check digit is a modulo-10 calculation over the first 12 digits with alternating weights of 1 and 3. Change any digit and the sum changes, so the final digit is recalculated to keep the total divisible by ten. Scanners reject codes where this rule fails.

What are the EAN-2 and EAN-5 supplements for?

EAN-2 adds an issue number to magazines and periodicals so the same base barcode covers every issue. EAN-5 encodes a suggested retail price on book covers, with the first digit signalling the currency. Both print as a narrow extra barcode to the right of the main one.

What size should I print an EAN-13 at so supermarket scanners read it reliably?

The GS1 nominal size is 37.29 mm wide by 25.93 mm tall, and most retailers accept anything between 80% and 200% of that. Below 80% the bars get too thin for laser scanners; above 200% the printed area wastes packaging real estate.

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