UPC-A and EAN-13 are closely related retail barcode formats. Both belong to the EAN/UPC barcode family, both identify products at point of sale, and both are used throughout global retail.

The main visible difference is simple: UPC-A contains 12 digits, while EAN-13 contains 13.

The practical choice depends on the number assigned to your product and the requirements of your retailer, marketplace, or distribution partner.

Quick comparison

Feature UPC-A EAN-13
Number of digits 12 13
Typical association United States and Canada International retail markets
Data type Numeric Numeric
Main use Retail products Retail products
Check digit Yes Yes
GS1 system Yes Yes
Commonly read by modern retail scanners Yes Yes

What is UPC-A?

UPC-A is a 12-digit linear barcode commonly associated with retail products in the United States and Canada.

It represents a GTIN-12. The final digit is a check digit calculated from the preceding digits.

UPC-A is used on products scanned at retail checkout, including food, personal care products, clothing, books, stationery, and household goods.

Businesses should obtain a legitimate product identifier that meets the requirements of their retailers and marketplaces before generating the symbol.

What is EAN-13?

EAN-13 is a 13-digit linear retail barcode representing a GTIN-13.

It is widely used outside North America and appears on consumer products around the world. Like UPC-A, its final digit is a check digit.

EAN-13 and UPC-A share the same underlying scanning family and are designed for rapid omnidirectional scanning at point of sale.

Read our practical EAN-13 guide for more detail.

Can an EAN scanner read a UPC barcode?

Modern systems commonly support both UPC-A and EAN-13.

A UPC-A identifier can be represented as a 13-digit number by adding a leading zero. This relationship is one reason the formats can coexist in retail databases and scanning systems.

However, technical scanner compatibility does not override a retailer’s data requirements. A retailer may expect a GTIN in a specific format within its product setup, catalogue, or electronic data exchange process.

Always follow the specification provided by the organisation receiving the data.

Is UPC-A only for North America?

UPC-A is strongly associated with the United States and Canada, but it is not accurate to say it can never be scanned elsewhere.

Likewise, EAN-13 is used internationally but is also supported by many North American systems.

The real question is not simply where the product is sold. It is:

  • Which GTIN has been assigned?
  • What symbol does the retailer request?
  • What does the marketplace listing form accept?
  • What format does the packaging specification require?
  • Will the product enter multiple markets?

Choose based on those requirements rather than geography alone.

Is EAN-13 better than UPC-A?

Neither format is inherently better.

Use UPC-A when:

  • your product has a GTIN-12;
  • a retailer or distributor specifically requests a UPC;
  • your established North American workflow uses UPC-A.

Use EAN-13 when:

  • your product has a GTIN-13;
  • your retailer or market expects EAN-13;
  • you are working within an established international EAN workflow.

Do not add or remove digits casually to make a number fit a generator. Confirm the assigned identifier and required symbol first.

Do both formats need a GS1 number?

The image itself can be generated from any correctly structured value, but products entering mainstream retail usually need an authorised GTIN that meets the trading partner’s requirements.

Barcode Safe creates barcode images. It does not issue UPCs, EANs, GTINs, or GS1 company prefixes.

For retail use, obtain the identifier through the appropriate authorised route and verify it before printing packaging.

Check digits in UPC-A and EAN-13

Both formats end with a check digit.

The check digit helps detect errors in the number. Barcode software can calculate it from the other digits or confirm that an entered value is valid.

A valid check digit does not confirm ownership. It only confirms that the digits satisfy the calculation.

Before production, check both:

  1. The number is assigned to the correct product.
  2. The check digit is correct.

Do product variants need separate barcodes?

Often, yes.

A different size, colour, flavour, pack count, or other trade-item variation may require a separate GTIN. Significant packaging or product changes can also trigger identifier changes under GS1 allocation rules.

Do not use one UPC or EAN for several distinct products simply because they belong to the same range.

The barcode links the physical item to product information in retail and supply-chain systems. Reusing it incorrectly can cause pricing, ordering, stock, and fulfilment errors.

How to generate UPC-A or EAN-13

Once you have the approved number:

  1. Open the Barcode Safe Free Barcode Generator.
  2. Select UPC-A or EAN-13.
  3. Enter the assigned digits.
  4. Validate the check digit.
  5. Download PNG, SVG, or PDF.
  6. Place the barcode without cropping its quiet zones.
  7. Print and test a production sample.

Use SVG for packaging artwork where possible because it stays sharp when scaled.

Common mistakes

Treating a generated number as an issued number

A barcode generator produces the symbol. It does not register the product identifier.

Choosing based only on country

Retailer and data-system requirements matter more than a simple geographic rule.

Removing a leading zero without checking

A GTIN may be stored with leading zeros in databases. Do not alter the product identifier without understanding the required representation.

Reusing a code across variants

Each separately traded item may need its own identifier.

Failing to test the print

A correct number can still be printed in a barcode that does not scan.

Which should you choose?

Choose the format that matches the GTIN assigned to the product and the specification of the receiving retailer or marketplace.

  • Have a GTIN-12 and need a UPC symbol? Use UPC-A.
  • Have a GTIN-13 and need an EAN symbol? Use EAN-13.
  • Creating an internal code rather than a retail identifier? Consider Code 128 instead.

If you are comparing more than retail formats, see How to Choose the Right Barcode Format.