Why does my 12-digit number become 13 digits?

The thirteenth digit is the check digit, worked out from the other twelve with alternating weights of 1 and 3. A scanner recomputes it on every read, so a barcode without the right one never scans. If you paste all 13 digits, the generator verifies the last one and says which digit it expected.

Is EAN-13 the same as a GTIN-13?

Yes. GTIN-13 is the number and EAN-13 is the barcode that carries it. A 12-digit UPC-A number is a GTIN-12; switch to UPC-A above for those, or add a leading 0 to print it as an EAN-13.

Can I make a barcode for a book or a magazine here?

Yes. A book barcode is the EAN-13 of the ISBN-13, which starts 978 or 979. A magazine barcode is the EAN-13 built from its ISSN, starting 977. Paste an ISBN-10 or an ISSN and the generator shows the 13-digit number to use.

Where do I get an EAN for my product?

From GS1, through your country's GS1 member organisation. Retailers check that the number is registered to the brand selling it. This generator draws any valid number correctly, but it cannot issue one to you.

What does the Random button make here?

A valid EAN-13 that starts with 04. The GS1 range 040 to 049 is kept for a company's internal use, so a random number is never one issued to a product sold in shops. Use them for mockups, shelf tags and testing a scanner.

EAN-13 Barcode Generator

This page opens on EAN-13, the 13-digit retail barcode used on products sold around the world. Type the first 12 digits and the check digit is calculated and appended, or paste all 13 and the last digit is verified. The first digit is not drawn as bars of its own: it sets the pattern of the next six, which the generator handles for you. Download a PNG at double resolution or copy the SVG for print.

Value

Symbology

Size

Digits

Show below

Retail products and book ISBNs worldwide, 12–13 digits. The final check digit is calculated for you. Enter the first digits and it is appended, or paste the full code and it is verified.

Common questions

Why does my 12-digit number become 13 digits?: The thirteenth digit is the check digit, worked out from the other twelve with alternating weights of 1 and 3. A scanner recomputes it on every read, so a barcode without the right one never scans. If you paste all 13 digits, the generator verifies the last one and says which digit it expected.
Is EAN-13 the same as a GTIN-13?: Yes. GTIN-13 is the number and EAN-13 is the barcode that carries it. A 12-digit UPC-A number is a GTIN-12; switch to UPC-A above for those, or add a leading 0 to print it as an EAN-13.
Can I make a barcode for a book or a magazine here?: Yes. A book barcode is the EAN-13 of the ISBN-13, which starts 978 or 979. A magazine barcode is the EAN-13 built from its ISSN, starting 977. Paste an ISBN-10 or an ISSN and the generator shows the 13-digit number to use.
Where do I get an EAN for my product?: From GS1, through your country's GS1 member organisation. Retailers check that the number is registered to the brand selling it. This generator draws any valid number correctly, but it cannot issue one to you.
What does the Random button make here?: A valid EAN-13 that starts with 04. The GS1 range 040 to 049 is kept for a company's internal use, so a random number is never one issued to a product sold in shops. Use them for mockups, shelf tags and testing a scanner.

Exact. Check digits and bar patterns follow each symbology's specification, and every encoder is tested by reading its bars back with an independent decoder. Print at a size your scanner can resolve. Encoding correctly does not guarantee a scan off a phone screen.