EAN-13 Barcode Generator
Free EAN-13 barcode generator. Enter 12 digits, get a valid EAN-13 with auto-calculated check digit. Export PNG or SVG, print labels. No signup.
Open EAN-13 generator →Create an EAN-13 barcode now
Enter 12 digits to calculate the check digit automatically, or enter a complete 13-digit EAN.
What is EAN-13?
EAN-13 (European Article Number, 13 digits) is the worldwide standard for retail product barcodes. It was adopted by GS1 in the 1970s and is now used in over 100 countries to identify trade items at the point of sale. EAN-13 is a superset of the 12-digit UPC-A used in the US and Canada.
Every EAN-13 contains 12 data digits plus 1 check digit. The first 2–3 digits are the GS1 prefix assigned to a national numbering authority (e.g., 590 = Poland, 400–440 = Germany, 30–37 = France). The remaining digits identify the manufacturer and the specific product.
EAN-13 specification
- Total digits
- 13 (12 data + 1 check)
- Allowed characters
- Digits 0–9 only
- Check digit algorithm
- Modulo-10 with weights (1, 3, 1, 3, …)
- Standard width
- 37.29 mm (nominal) × 25.93 mm height
- Quiet zone
- ≥ 7 modules left, ≥ 7 modules right
- Standardised by
- GS1 (formerly EAN International + UCC)
When to use EAN-13
- Retail products — required by most retailers (supermarkets, pharmacies, electronics) for scanning at checkout.
- Books outside ISBN scope — for non-book retail editions, gift sets, or merchandise.
- Marketplaces — Amazon, eBay and similar platforms accept EAN-13 as a product identifier (GTIN-13).
How to generate an EAN-13 barcode
- Open the generator — click the button below; EAN-13 is preselected.
- Enter 12 digits — the tool validates length and accepts only digits.
- Check digit auto-added — the 13th digit is computed automatically using modulo-10.
- Export or print — download PNG/SVG, or open the label dialog for thermal/A4 printing.
Frequently asked questions
How many digits does an EAN-13 barcode have?
Exactly 13: 12 data digits that you enter, plus 1 check digit that the generator computes automatically.
How is the check digit calculated?
Multiply each of the first 12 digits alternately by 1 and 3 (position 1 = ×1, position 2 = ×3, …), sum the results, then the check digit is the value that brings the total up to the next multiple of 10. Example: for 590123412345 the weighted sum is 53, so the check digit is 7 — giving 5901234123457.
What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A?
UPC-A has 12 digits and is the US/Canada standard. EAN-13 has 13 digits and is the international superset. Any 12-digit UPC-A is equivalent to the EAN-13 obtained by prepending a leading 0.
Do I need to register an EAN-13 with GS1 to sell retail?
Yes. If you sell through retailers, the GS1 prefix must be assigned to your company by your national GS1 office. This tool generates the visual barcode only — it does not register or reserve the number for you.
Can I print EAN-13 on a thermal label printer?
Yes. The generator includes a label-print dialog with presets for Zebra, Brother and Dymo thermal printers, as well as A4 sheets (Avery layouts).
Is the EAN-13 generator really free?
Yes — fully free, no signup, no watermarks, no limits. Generation runs 100% in your browser; your data is never sent to any server.