Retail barcode generator

EAN-13, UPC-A, EAN-8, UPC-E, ISBN. The barcodes on product packaging, read at every checkout. EAN-13 is the standard almost everywhere and UPC-A its 12-digit form for the US, Canada and Amazon; EAN-8 and UPC-E are the short versions for packages with no room; ISBN is the EAN-13 form of a book number with the price add-on bookshops read. Every one has its check digit calculated and is drawn to the GS1 specification.

Free · no signup · no limits
SVG, PNG at 600 dpi, PDF, label sheets

1 · Which barcode?

Retail
General
Logistics
2D
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2 · Content · EAN-13

12 digits (the check digit is added) or 13.

EAN-2 or EAN-5 add-on, used for magazine issues and book prices.

Encoded: 590123412345 (example, until you enter data)

3 · Size and print

magnification (100% = 37.29 mm wide)

At 300 dpi each bar is 4 printer dots = 0.339 mm. The PNG uses exactly that.

Rendering…
Example · add your data in step 2
  • Enter the EAN-13 digits.
  • This barcode is valid and will scan. It is only a registered product code if GS1 licensed the number to you (or your brand owner assigned it). Retailers and marketplaces such as Amazon check numbers against GS1's database; made-up numbers are rejected there.

4 · Download

SVG and PDF are vectors at the exact millimetre size shown. The PNG uses a whole number of printer dots per bar so nothing blurs. Generated in your browser; nothing is uploaded.

Which one?

Click a name to read its notes; it is selected in the generator above at the same time.

SymbologyTypical useEncodesCheck digitKindNote
EAN-13Retail products worldwide.12 digits (the check digit is added) or 13.Yes1D · GS1The default for products sold anywhere outside North America.
UPC-ARetail products in the US and Canada; Amazon listings.11 digits (the check digit is added) or 12.Yes1D · GS1An EAN-13 with a leading zero; what US retailers and Amazon expect.
EAN-8Small packages with no room for EAN-13.7 digits (the check digit is added) or 8.Yes1D · GS1Only when EAN-13 physically does not fit; GS1 issues these sparingly.
UPC-ECompressed UPC for small US packages.6 or 7 digits (check digit added), or 8 digits.Yes1D · GS1A UPC-A with the zeros squeezed out; only some numbers compress.
ISBNBooks, with an optional price add-on.ISBN-10 or ISBN-13, hyphens optional.Yes1D · GS1The number comes from your ISBN agency, not GS1; add the 5-digit price.

EAN-13

The retail barcode used on products almost everywhere outside North America. Enter your 12-digit number and the check digit is worked out for you; enter all 13 and it is verified. The symbol is drawn to the GS1 specification: correct quiet zones, guard bars and OCR-B digits.

Where do I get an EAN number?

From GS1, the only official issuer. A number you make up will scan but is not a registered product code, and retailers and Amazon check against GS1's database.

What size should I print it?

The nominal size is 37.29 mm wide with 22.85 mm bars, at 100% magnification. Anything from 80% to 200% is within the retail specification. The generator shows the size for your settings.

Why is my check digit wrong?

Type only the first 12 digits and the correct check digit is calculated. If you type 13 and the last one does not match, the generator tells you what it should be.

UPC-A

The 12-digit retail barcode used in the US and Canada and required for most Amazon product listings. Enter 11 digits and the check digit is calculated; the symbol follows the GS1 layout with the first and last digits outside the bars.

Can I use this for Amazon?

The barcode itself, yes. The number must be a GS1-licensed UPC; Amazon verifies numbers against GS1 and rejects invented or resold ones.

UPC-A or EAN-13?

UPC-A for products sold in the US and Canada; EAN-13 elsewhere. Scanners worldwide read both, and a UPC-A is an EAN-13 with a leading zero.

Is the check digit calculated?

Yes. Enter 11 digits and it is added; enter 12 and it is verified.

EAN-8

The short retail barcode for packages too small for EAN-13. Eight digits; enter seven and the check digit is added.

When should I use EAN-8?

Only when EAN-13 physically does not fit. GS1 issues EAN-8 numbers sparingly for that reason.

Is it read by every scanner?

Yes, every retail scanner reads EAN-8.

Where do I get the number?

From GS1. Made-up numbers scan but are not registered.

UPC-E

The zero-suppressed form of UPC-A for small packages in the US and Canada. Enter the 6-digit body, or the 8-digit code, or a compressible 12-digit UPC-A.

What is UPC-E?

A UPC-A with the zeros squeezed out, so it fits on small packages. Only numbers with the right zero pattern can be compressed.

Can any UPC be made into UPC-E?

No. The number system must be 0 or 1 and the zeros must sit in specific positions. The generator says so if yours cannot.

Do scanners read it?

Yes, all retail scanners do.

ISBN

A book barcode: the ISBN printed above, the EAN-13 form below, and the optional 5-digit price add-on that bookshops read. Paste an ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 with or without hyphens; ISBN-10 is converted for you.

Do I need GS1 for a book barcode?

No. Your ISBN comes from your national ISBN agency and already includes the 978 or 979 prefix; the barcode is the EAN-13 form of that number.

What is the 5-digit add-on?

The price. In the US it is 5 followed by the price in cents, so 51999 means $19.99; 90000 means no price given. Other countries use other leading digits.

Which file should I send the printer?

SVG or PDF. They are vector, so the bars stay exact at any size. Use EPS only if the printer asks for it.

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