Scan & Generate
Free EAN-13 Barcode Generator
Enter 12 digits to generate an EAN-13 barcode with auto check digit. Download as PNG for product labels and packaging.
Enter 12 digits — the check digit is calculated automatically. Or enter all 13 to validate.
About EAN-13 Barcodes
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is the most widely used retail barcode standard in the world. It encodes 13 digits — a country/company prefix, item reference, and a check digit — in a pattern of bars and spaces that any barcode scanner can read.
EAN-13 Number Structure
| Digits | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | GS1 prefix (country/company) | 590 = Poland |
| 4–7 | Manufacturer code (assigned by GS1) | 1234 |
| 8–12 | Item reference (assigned by manufacturer) | 12345 |
| 13 | Check digit (calculated automatically) | 7 |
EAN-13 vs UPC-A
UPC-A is used primarily in the US and Canada, encoding 12 digits. An EAN-13 barcode starting with a leading zero is equivalent to a UPC-A barcode — most modern scanners read both. Retailers outside North America prefer EAN-13, while US/Canadian retail uses UPC-A.
Check Digit Calculation
The check digit is calculated using the Luhn-like algorithm: multiply alternating digits by 1 and 3, sum the results, and the check digit is whatever makes the total a multiple of 10. This tool calculates it automatically from your 12 input digits.
Scanning with a Mobile App
The Scan & Generate app can read EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Code 39, ITF, and more — all from your phone camera. Scan any product barcode to get the number instantly, or use the history to track what you've scanned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EAN-13 barcode?
EAN-13 is the 13-digit retail barcode used on consumer products worldwide. It encodes a GS1 company prefix, an item reference chosen by the brand owner, and a final check digit calculated from the preceding twelve.
Do I enter 12 or 13 digits?
Enter the first 12. The thirteenth is the check digit, and this generator calculates it for you — entering it yourself is the most common source of an invalid code.
Can I use a barcode I generated here on a real product?
Only if the number is genuinely yours. Retail EAN-13 numbers must be built on a company prefix licensed from GS1, because the number has to be globally unique. This tool renders any valid number correctly, but it cannot issue one to you.
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
UPC-A is the 12-digit format used mainly in the United States and Canada; EAN-13 is the 13-digit international format. A UPC-A number becomes an EAN-13 by adding a leading zero, and modern scanners read both.
How small can I print an EAN-13 barcode?
GS1 specifies a nominal size with a permitted magnification range, and going below the minimum risks scan failures at checkout. Retail packaging normally stays at or above the nominal size, and it is always worth test-scanning a printed sample from the real production process.
Why does my barcode not scan after printing?
The usual causes are printing too small, insufficient contrast between bars and background, or trimming away the quiet zone — the blank margin either side of the symbol. Keep the bars dark on a light background and never place artwork inside the quiet zone.
Scan EAN-13 Barcodes Instantly
The Scan & Generate app reads 13 barcode formats including EAN-13, UPC-A and Code 128 — plus keeps a searchable history of every scan.