Barcode Tools
EAN-13 Barcode Generator
Generate EAN-13 barcodes used on retail products worldwide - and EAN-8 for compact packaging. Enter your digits, the check digit is calculated automatically. Download PNG or SVG.
Enter 12 digits - check digit calculated automatically.
🔒 All processing happens locally in your browser. No data is uploaded.
How to Generate EAN Barcodes
- 1. Choose EAN-13 or EAN-8 using the toggle.
- 2. Enter your digits (12 for EAN-13, 7 for EAN-8 with auto check digit).
- 3. Click Generate.
- 4. Download the barcode as PNG or SVG.
GS1 Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN) & EAN Architecture
The European Article Number (EAN-13), formally governed under the international GS1 standard as GTIN-13, is the universal retail barcode identifier across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australia. EAN barcodes facilitate automated point-of-sale inventory depletion, supply chain traceability, and automated warehouse receiving.
Country Prefix & Manufacturer Code
The first 2–3 digits indicate the GS1 national member organization where the company prefix was registered (e.g., 00–13 for US/Canada, 50 for the UK, 400–440 for Germany). The subsequent digits represent the individual manufacturer identification and specific item reference.
Modulo-10 Check Digit Calculation
The 13th digit is mathematically derived from the preceding 12 digits using an alternating weighting formula: odd-indexed positions are multiplied by 1 and even-indexed positions by 3. Our engine automatically solves the modulo-10 complement to ensure full compliance with GS1 scanner validation.
EAN Barcode Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EAN-13 and EAN-8?
EAN-13 is the standard full 13-digit product barcode. EAN-8 is a specialized compact 8-digit derivative reserved for small packaging items (like chewing gum or cosmetics) with limited physical label surface area.
Can EAN-13 barcodes be scanned in the United States and Canada?
Yes. Since 2005 (the GS1 2005 Sunrise initiative), all modern North American point-of-sale barcode scanners and retail checkout systems seamlessly scan and process both 12-digit UPC-A and 13-digit EAN-13 symbols.
How do I register an official EAN barcode for commercial retail sales?
Official unique GS1 company prefixes must be obtained directly from your regional GS1 Member Organization. Our tool allows you to format, validate, and generate print-ready vector graphics once you have your allocated numbers.
Why should I download SVG format for product packaging?
SVG is vector-based and resolution-independent. When passed to commercial packaging printers, vector barcodes eliminate raster pixelation, ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 15416 print quality grading standards.
1D Barcode Symbologies & Scanning Standards
Linear 1D barcodes encode alphanumeric data using alternating parallel lines and spaces with standardized width ratios. Choosing the appropriate symbology-such as Code 128 for variable-length logistics labels, EAN-13 for global retail products, or UPC-A for North American point-of-sale systems-ensures seamless optical recognition across laser scanners, CCD readers, and camera-based mobile apps.
Quiet Zones & Contrast
Maintain a solid unprinted margin (the quiet zone) of at least 10 times the narrowest bar width on both ends. Ensure high optical contrast-dark bars on a clean white background-to prevent scanner read failures under warehouse and retail lighting.
Vector Print & Privacy Security
Export your finished code in SVG vector format for crisp, infinite scalability on large signage, product packaging, and business cards without pixelation. All generation and camera decoding executes 100% locally in your browser memory-no private credentials, URLs, or scans are ever uploaded to a server.
Additional Technical FAQs
What is the minimum recommended print size for reliable scanning?
For standard smartphone camera scanning at close range (0.3–0.5 meters), print QR codes at a minimum size of 2 x 2 cm (0.8 x 0.8 inches). For posters and billboards, use a 10:1 distance-to-size ratio (e.g., a code scanned from 2 meters away should be at least 20 cm wide).
Are generated codes permanent, and do they ever expire?
All codes generated on BeYourTools are static and permanent. The encoded data (such as your URL, text, or barcode number) is directly baked into the graphical modules with zero server redirection, meaning they will function forever without expiration.