🏷️ EAN-13 Barcode Generator

Generate professional EAN-13 barcodes with automatic check digit calculation, country code validation, and batch processing capabilities. Perfect for retail products, inventory management, and international commerce.

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Generated EAN-13 Barcode:

✓ EAN-13 Generated • Example: 490123456789 • Japan
4901234567890
EAN-13 Code: 4901234567890
Check Digit: 0 (automatically calculated)
Country: Japan (490)

How to Use This EAN-13 Barcode Generator

Step-by-Step EAN-13 Barcode Generation:

  1. Enter EAN-13 Code: Input your 12-digit or 13-digit EAN-13 code:
    • 12 digits: Check digit will be automatically calculated
    • 13 digits: Complete code will be validated
    • Format: Digits only, no spaces or special characters
  2. Country Code Validation: Enable to verify the first 3 digits match a valid GS1 country code:
    • 000-019: US & Canada
    • 020-029: In-store functions
    • 030-039: US drugs
    • 200-299: In-store functions
    • 300-379: France and Monaco
    • 380: Bulgaria
    • 383: Slovenia
    • 385: Croatia
    • 387: Bosnia-Herzegovina
    • 400-440: Germany
    • 450-459, 490-499: Japan
    • 460-469: Russia
    • 470: Kyrgyzstan
    • 471: Taiwan
    • 474: Estonia
    • 475: Latvia
    • 476: Azerbaijan
    • 477: Lithuania
    • 478: Uzbekistan
    • 479: Sri Lanka
    • 480: Philippines
    • 481: Belarus
    • 482: Ukraine
    • 484: Moldova
    • 485: Armenia
    • 486: Georgia
    • 487: Kazakhstan
    • 488: Tajikistan
    • 489: Hong Kong
    • 500-509: United Kingdom
    • 520-521: Greece
    • 528: Lebanon
    • 529: Cyprus
    • 530: Albania
    • 531: North Macedonia
    • 535: Malta
    • 539: Ireland
    • 540-549: Belgium & Luxembourg
    • 560: Portugal
    • 569: Iceland
    • 570-579: Denmark
    • 590: Poland
    • 594: Romania
    • 599: Hungary
    • 600-601: South Africa
    • 603: Ghana
    • 608: Bahrain
    • 609: Mauritius
    • 611: Morocco
    • 613: Algeria
    • 615: Nigeria
    • 616: Kenya
    • 618: Ivory Coast
    • 619: Tunisia
    • 620: Tanzania
    • 621: Syria
    • 622: Egypt
    • 624: Libya
    • 625: Jordan
    • 626: Iran
    • 627: Kuwait
    • 628: Saudi Arabia
    • 629: United Arab Emirates
    • 640-649: Finland
    • 690-695: China
    • 700-709: Norway
    • 729: Israel
    • 730-739: Sweden
    • 740: Guatemala
    • 741: El Salvador
    • 742: Honduras
    • 743: Nicaragua
    • 744: Costa Rica
    • 745: Panama
    • 746: Dominican Republic
    • 750: Mexico
    • 754-755: Canada
    • 759: Venezuela
    • 760-769: Switzerland
    • 770-771: Colombia
    • 773: Uruguay
    • 775: Peru
    • 777: Bolivia
    • 778-779: Argentina
    • 780: Chile
    • 784: Paraguay
    • 786: Ecuador
    • 789-790: Brazil
    • 800-839: Italy
    • 840-849: Spain
    • 850: Cuba
    • 858: Slovakia
    • 859: Czech Republic
    • 860: Serbia
    • 865: Mongolia
    • 867: North Korea
    • 868-869: Turkey
    • 870-879: Netherlands
    • 880: South Korea
    • 884: Cambodia
    • 885: Thailand
    • 888: Singapore
    • 890: India
    • 893: Vietnam
    • 896: Pakistan
    • 899: Indonesia
    • 900-919: Austria
    • 930-939: Australia
    • 940-949: New Zealand
  3. Customize Barcode Appearance: Adjust visual settings for your specific needs:
    • Size: Choose appropriate width and height for your application
    • Text Display: Standard integrated format or custom positioning
    • Quiet Zones: Essential for proper scanner recognition
    • Colors: High contrast is crucial for reliable scanning
  4. Quality Validation: The tool automatically performs:
    • Check Digit Verification: Ensures mathematical accuracy
    • Format Compliance: Validates against EAN-13 standards
    • Country Code Verification: Confirms valid GS1 prefixes
    • Scanner Readability: Optimizes for barcode scanner compatibility
  5. Batch Processing: For multiple barcodes:
    • Enable Batch Mode: Switch to multi-code generation
    • Input Format: One EAN-13 code per line
    • Bulk Validation: All codes validated simultaneously
    • Batch Download: Generate ZIP archive with all barcodes
  6. Export Options: Choose the best format for your use case:
    • PNG: Best for web display and digital applications
    • SVG: Scalable vector format for any size without quality loss
    • PDF: Print-ready format with exact dimensions
  7. Quality Assurance: Before using your barcodes:
    • Test Scanning: Verify with your barcode scanners
    • Print Quality: Ensure sharp, high-contrast printing
    • Size Requirements: Check minimum/maximum size specifications
    • Placement Guidelines: Follow packaging and labeling standards

🎯 Pro Tips for Professional Results:

  • • Always include quiet zones for reliable scanning
  • • Use high contrast colors (black bars on white background recommended)
  • • Test your barcodes with actual scanning equipment before mass production
  • • For retail products, ensure your EAN-13 is registered with GS1
  • • Maintain consistent barcode sizes across your product line
  • • Consider the scanning environment when choosing barcode dimensions

How It Works

This EAN-13 barcode generator implements the complete GS1 standard for European Article Number barcodes with professional-grade accuracy and validation:

EAN-13 Structure & Encoding:

  1. Country Code (3 digits): First 3 digits indicate the GS1 country or region where the barcode was registered.
  2. Manufacturer Code (4-6 digits): Identifies the company that owns the product.
  3. Product Code (3-5 digits): Unique identifier for the specific product.
  4. Check Digit (1 digit): Calculated using modulo 10 algorithm to detect scanning errors.

Check Digit Calculation Algorithm:

  1. Sum Calculation: Starting from the right, multiply each digit by 1 or 3 alternately (3,1,3,1...).
  2. Modulo Operation: Calculate the sum modulo 10.
  3. Check Digit: Subtract result from 10 (if result is 10, use 0).
  4. Validation: Verify the calculated check digit matches the provided one.

Barcode Pattern Generation:

EAN-13 uses specific patterns for encoding digits into bars and spaces:

  • Start Pattern: 101 (3 bars)
  • Left Guard: First 6 digits encoded with L-code or G-code patterns
  • Center Guard: 01010 (5 bars)
  • Right Guard: Last 6 digits encoded with R-code patterns
  • End Pattern: 101 (3 bars)

Pattern Selection Logic:

The first digit determines the pattern sequence for the left side digits:

  • L-Code: Used for standard left-side encoding
  • G-Code: Mirror image of R-code, used selectively based on first digit
  • R-Code: Used for all right-side digits

Country Code Validation:

The tool validates against the complete GS1 country code database, including:

  • • Regional assignments (USA/Canada: 000-019, 030-039, 754-755)
  • • European countries (Germany: 400-440, France: 300-379)
  • • Asian markets (Japan: 450-459, 490-499, China: 690-695)
  • • Special function codes (In-store: 020-029, 200-299)

Quality Assurance Features:

  • Automatic Quiet Zones: Adds required blank margins for scanner recognition
  • Proportional Scaling: Maintains proper bar/space ratios at any size
  • High Contrast Validation: Ensures colors meet scanning requirements
  • Format Compliance: Adheres to ISO/IEC 15420 international standards

Output Formats:

  • PNG: Raster format with customizable DPI for print applications
  • SVG: Vector format for infinite scalability and web integration
  • PDF: Professional print format with embedded fonts and exact measurements

When You Might Need This

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes?

EAN-13 is the international standard with 13 digits, while UPC-A is primarily used in North America with 12 digits. EAN-13 can encode UPC-A codes by adding a leading zero, making it more versatile for global commerce. EAN-13 includes country codes that identify the GS1 organization that assigned the barcode.

How do I get a legitimate EAN-13 code for my products?

To obtain legitimate EAN-13 codes, you need to register with your local GS1 organization (like GS1 US, GS1 UK, etc.). They will assign you a company prefix, and you can then create unique product codes. Using unregistered codes may cause conflicts and scanning issues in retail systems.

Can I use any 13-digit number as an EAN-13 barcode?

While technically any 13-digit number can be encoded as an EAN-13 barcode, only GS1-registered codes should be used for commercial products. Unregistered codes may conflict with existing products and cause issues in retail databases and point-of-sale systems.

How is the EAN-13 check digit calculated?

The check digit is calculated using a weighted sum: starting from the right (excluding the check digit), multiply alternating digits by 1 and 3, sum all products, then subtract the result modulo 10 from 10. If the result is 10, the check digit is 0. This detects most common scanning errors.

What do the different digit patterns mean in EAN-13 encoding?

EAN-13 uses three pattern sets: L-codes for left side digits, G-codes (inverted R-codes) for left side, and R-codes for right side. The first digit determines which pattern (L or G) to use for each of the next 6 digits. This encoding allows the first digit to be determined without being explicitly encoded in the barcode.