🏷️ EAN-8 Barcode Generator
Generate valid EAN-8 barcodes as SVG with automatic checksum calculation for product identification
Your EAN-8 Barcode:
How to Use This EAN-8 Barcode Generator
The EAN-8 Barcode Generator creates professional-quality barcodes for small products and space-limited applications. This tool automatically calculates the required checksum digit and generates industry-standard SVG barcodes.
Quick Start Steps:
- Enter Your 7 Digits: Input exactly 7 numerical digits representing your product or item code
- Choose Barcode Size: Select small (200px), medium (300px), or large (400px) width for your needs
- Generate Barcode: Click generate to create your EAN-8 barcode with automatic checksum calculation
- Download SVG: Save the scalable vector barcode for printing or digital use
Input Guidelines:
- Use exactly 7 digits only (0-9)
- For official commercial use, obtain proper GS1 codes
- For internal/testing use, any 7-digit combination works
- The 8th checksum digit is calculated automatically
The generated SVG barcode follows international EAN-8 standards and includes proper quiet zones, making it compatible with all standard barcode scanners and point-of-sale systems.
How It Works
This EAN-8 barcode generator implements the official ISO/IEC 15420 specification to create fully compliant barcodes with automatic checksum validation.
Generation Process:
- Input Validation: Verifies that exactly 7 numerical digits are provided
- Checksum Calculation: Uses modulo 10 algorithm - odd positions × 3, even positions × 1, sum and calculate remainder
- Digit Encoding: Converts each digit to EAN-8 bar patterns using character sets A and C
- Structure Assembly: Combines start guards, left digits, center pattern, right digits, and end guards
- SVG Generation: Creates scalable vector graphics with precise bar widths and spacing
- Quality Assurance: Adds quiet zones and validates final barcode structure
Technical Standards:
- Module width: 0.33mm standard (scalable in SVG)
- Bar height: 22.85mm standard (proportional scaling)
- Quiet zones: 10 module widths on each side
- Character encoding: Sets A (left) and C (right) as per EAN standard
The resulting barcode contains all necessary elements for reliable scanning including proper guard patterns, human-readable numbers, and standardized dimensions that ensure compatibility with retail and industrial scanning systems.
When You Might Need This
- • Small product labeling where space is limited on packaging
- • Retail point-of-sale systems for compact inventory tracking
- • Generate barcodes for greeting cards, gift tags, and small items
- • Create barcodes for sample products, trial sizes, and promotional items
- • Medical device labeling for small instruments and supplies
- • Library book spine labels and small document identification
- • Event tickets and admission passes with compact barcode requirements
- • Small parts inventory management in manufacturing and warehousing
- • Jewelry tags, watch labels, and luxury item identification codes
- • Food packaging for individual portions, snacks, and small containers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EAN-8 and EAN-13 barcodes?
EAN-8 uses 8 digits total (7 data + 1 checksum) while EAN-13 uses 13 digits (12 data + 1 checksum). EAN-8 is specifically designed for small products where space is limited, making it more compact than the standard EAN-13. Both follow the same encoding principles but EAN-8 has a condensed structure with 4 digits on each side of the center guard pattern.
How is the EAN-8 checksum digit calculated automatically?
The checksum is calculated using the modulo 10 algorithm. Starting from right to left, odd positions are multiplied by 3 and even positions by 1, then all products are summed. The checksum digit is the amount needed to make this sum divisible by 10. For example, with digits '5512345', the calculation yields checksum '7' making the final barcode '55123457'.
Can I use any 7-digit number for EAN-8 barcode generation?
While you can technically generate a barcode from any 7 digits, official EAN-8 codes should follow GS1 standards with proper country codes and manufacturer identification. For commercial use, obtain official codes from GS1. For internal use, testing, or non-commercial applications, any 7-digit combination will produce a valid barcode structure.
What output formats does this EAN-8 generator support?
This generator creates high-quality SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) barcodes that can be scaled to any size without quality loss. SVG format is ideal for printing, web use, and professional applications. The generated SVG can be converted to other formats like PNG, PDF, or EPS using various tools or directly embedded in web pages and documents.
Are the generated EAN-8 barcodes compatible with standard barcode scanners?
Yes, the generated EAN-8 barcodes follow ISO/IEC 15420 specifications and are fully compatible with standard barcode scanners used in retail, inventory management, and point-of-sale systems. The SVG output includes proper quiet zones, bar widths, and height ratios required for reliable scanning across different scanner types and reading angles.