Data rules
12 data digits + 1 check digit
- Length: 12–13 characters
- Character set: digits only
- Check digit: required
- Quiet zone: 9 modules
Retail point of sale
EAN-13
Encode a 13-digit EAN-13 retail code. The check digit is verified — or calculated for you from 12 data digits.
- Check digit verified.
Preview
Enter valid data to see the barcode.
Encoding happens entirely in your browser. This tool encodes numbers you already own — it does not issue or register GS1 company prefixes.
Printing notes
- EAN-13 is the international retail point-of-sale symbology and encodes a GTIN-13.
- The check digit uses the GS1 modulo-10 algorithm with alternating 3/1 weights.
- This tool encodes the number you supply; GTIN allocation is done through GS1, not here.
Workflow links
Related barcode formats
EAN-8
EAN-8 is the short retail code for small packs. Enter 7 data digits and the check digit is added.
UPC-A
Encode a 12-digit UPC-A product code with automatic check-digit validation. Download as SVG, PNG or a print-ready PDF.
ISBN
Encode an ISBN-13 as a Bookland EAN-13 barcode for the back cover of a book.
What is EAN-13?
EAN-13 is the 13-digit retail barcode used in Europe, Asia, Australia and most of the world outside North America. It encodes a GTIN-13: a GS1 company prefix, an item reference and a modulo-10 check digit.
The first digits are the GS1 prefix, which indicates the member organisation that issued the company prefix — not necessarily the country where the product was made.
Frequently asked questions
Is this EAN-13 generator free to use?
Yes. The EAN-13 generator is free, has no signup and adds no watermark. The symbol is encoded in your browser, so the data you type is never uploaded to a server.
What file format should I download for printing EAN-13?
Download SVG for anything that will be printed. SVG is vector, so bar widths and the quiet zone stay exact at any size. PNG is fine for screens and slide decks, but never scale a PNG barcode up — enlarging it blurs the bar edges and scanners start failing.
Does the EAN-13 prefix show the country of origin?
No. It identifies the GS1 member organisation that issued the company prefix. A product made anywhere can carry a prefix licensed in another country.
How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?
Weights of 3 and 1 alternate from right to left across the first 12 digits; the check digit is the amount needed to round the weighted total up to the next multiple of 10. This tool calculates and verifies it for you.
Standards & references
This page follows the published specifications. The bodies that own them: