Free EAN-13 Barcode Generator

What is an EAN-13 barcode?

EAN-13 is a 13-digit, one-dimensional barcode format and the dominant retail barcode standard outside North America. You may also encounter it referred to as GTIN-13 or simply EAN.

The format encodes a numeric product identifier as a series of bars and spaces. Each EAN-13 barcode encodes exactly 13 digits: 12 digits of data followed by a single check digit calculated from those 12. The bars represent the encoded number; this generator does not create or register ownership of that number.

EAN-13 is widely supported by retail scanners, point-of-sale systems, and inventory management software around the world. It is used on consumer goods, books (via ISBN), and many other product categories.

How to create an EAN-13 barcode

1. Enter your digits. Type 12 digits and the generator calculates the check digit automatically, or enter all 13 digits if you already have the complete value.
2. Review the generated barcode preview. Confirm the human-readable digits beneath the barcode match your intended value.
3. Download your barcode as PNG, SVG or PDF. Choose the format suited to your workflow.
4. Test the barcode with your intended scanner and workflow. Always verify scan performance at the final printed size before production use.

EAN-13 number and check-digit requirements

EAN-13 always contains exactly 13 numeric digits. The final digit is the check digit, calculated from the first 12 digits using a standard weighted algorithm.

The check digit helps scanners and receiving systems detect common data-entry and transmission errors. A barcode with an incorrect check digit will be rejected by most compliant readers.

This generator accepts both 12-digit and 13-digit input:

• Enter 12 digits and the generator calculates and appends the correct check digit before generating the barcode.
• Enter all 13 digits and the generator uses the value as supplied.

If you are unsure of the check digit for your 12-digit number, entering 12 digits is the simpler workflow.

EAN-13 and GS1 identifiers

Barcode Safe creates the scannable barcode image for the number you enter. It does not issue, sell, allocate or register EAN or GTIN numbers.

Businesses that need a globally unique product identifier accepted by major retailers or online marketplaces should obtain the identifier through GS1 or another source accepted by the relevant trading partner. Requirements differ between retailers, distributors, and platforms.

Not every use case requires a newly issued GS1 number. Internal testing, private-label workflows, and environments using existing assigned identifiers may have different requirements. Always confirm the identifier requirements with your retailer, distributor, marketplace or trading partner.

EAN-13 versus UPC-A

EAN-13 and UPC-A are both linear retail barcode formats used for product identification, but they differ in length and primary geography:

• EAN-13 contains 13 digits and is the standard outside North America.
• UPC-A contains 12 digits and is primarily used in the US and Canada.
• Both are used for retail product identification.
• A UPC-A value can commonly be represented within the EAN-13 system by prefixing it with a leading zero, though system acceptance depends on the trading partner and workflow.

Use the format required by the retailer, marketplace or receiving system for your products.

EAN-13 versus Code 39

EAN-13 is numeric-only and designed for retail product identification, where a globally recognised 13-digit structure is expected by scanners and systems.

Code 39 supports uppercase letters, digits and a small set of symbols, making it a common choice for internal inventory, asset tracking, and industrial workflows where a fixed numeric structure is not required.

If your use case involves consumer retail products, EAN-13 is typically the appropriate format. For internal operational labels, Code 39 or Code 128 may be a better fit.

Barcode quality guidance

• Preserve the barcode's proportions and quiet zones — the blank margins on each side are part of the standard.
• Do not stretch, crop or distort downloaded output.
• Use SVG or PDF when scalable output is required for print workflows.
• Ensure sufficient contrast when placing the barcode into artwork or on packaging.
• Test the final barcode at its actual printed size.
• Test with the scanner and operational workflow for which it is intended.

Scan performance depends on label material, printer quality, scanner configuration, and ambient conditions. No barcode tool can guarantee universal scan performance or acceptance by every retail system.