How to create an EAN-13 barcode
- Enter the first 12 digits of your EAN or GTIN-13 number. The 13th check digit is calculated for you; if you enter all 13 digits, the check digit is verified.
- Adjust the bar width and height to suit your label, and keep the digits shown underneath for people who need to type the number.
- Download an SVG for packaging artwork in Illustrator, Affinity or Inkscape, where it stays sharp at any size, or a PNG for documents and label printers.
About EAN-13 numbers
EAN-13 is the barcode on almost every retail product outside North America and is accepted in the US too. The number is a GTIN-13: it starts with a GS1 company prefix assigned to the brand owner, followed by a product reference and the check digit. The first two or three digits indicate the GS1 member organisation that issued the prefix, not necessarily where the product was made.
To sell through shops and most marketplaces, you need numbers licensed from GS1 in your country. Made-up or resold numbers may already belong to another product and can get listings removed. For internal stock control, Code 128 is usually a better choice.
Print at 100% of the nominal size (about 37.3 × 25.9 mm) where possible, never below 80%, in dark bars on a light background with clear margins on both sides. The barcode is generated entirely in your browser.
FAQ
How do I calculate the EAN-13 check digit?
Multiply the first 12 digits alternately by 1 and 3, add the results, and subtract the last digit of the sum from 10 (use 0 if the result is 10).
Can I use an EAN-13 barcode in the USA?
Yes. US retailers scan EAN-13 as well as UPC-A. A UPC-A is effectively an EAN-13 that starts with 0.
Where do I get an official barcode number?
From GS1, the global standards body, through the member organisation in your country.