EAN-13 guide
What is a 13 digit barcode?
A 13 digit barcode usually refers to EAN-13, the retail barcode format used on many products around the world. EAN13 and EAN-13 usually mean the same thing: 12 data digits plus one calculated check digit.
Quick answers
Short answers about 13 digit barcodes
What is a 13 digit barcode?
A 13 digit barcode is usually an EAN-13 retail barcode. It has 12 data digits and one calculated check digit.
How do I create one?
Enter the first 12 digits in an EAN-13 generator. The tool calculates the 13th digit, then renders the barcode.
Which export format should I use?
Use SVG or EPS for packaging and design files. Use PNG or JPG only when a system needs an image upload.
Do I need an official number?
For real retail products, the barcode number should usually come from GS1 or the correct issuing organization.
A 13 digit barcode usually means an EAN-13 barcode.
The first 12 digits identify the item or number assigned by the relevant system.
The 13th digit is a calculated check digit that helps detect input mistakes.
For real retail products, the number itself should come from the correct issuing organization.
EAN13, EAN-13 and 13 digit barcode
People search for this format in a few different ways. "EAN13 barcode", "EAN-13 barcode" and "13 digit barcode" usually point to the same retail barcode type. The important part is the number: it must be numeric, it must have 13 digits, and the final digit must match the checksum.
Generate an EAN13 barcodeEAN-13
5901234123457
A complete 13 digit barcode value with a valid check digit.
12 digits
590123412345
Enter 12 digits in Barqode and the final EAN-13 check digit is calculated automatically.
EAN13
EAN13 barcode
EAN13 without the hyphen usually means the same format as EAN-13.
Compare 13 digit barcodes with other formats
EAN-13 vs UPC-A
EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is common internationally. UPC-A uses 12 digits and is common in North America. Both use check digits and are part of the EAN/UPC family.
Open UPC generatorEAN-13 vs Code 128
EAN-13 is for numeric retail product identifiers. Code 128 is more flexible for internal labels, order IDs, inventory numbers and shipping workflows.
Open Code 128 generatorEAN-13 vs PDF417
EAN-13 is a short retail product barcode. PDF417 is a stacked barcode for tickets, IDs, forms and labels that need to carry more text.
Open PDF417 generatorCheck digit
The 13th digit helps catch mistakes.
EAN-13 uses a modulo-10 checksum. If one digit is mistyped, the calculated check digit will usually no longer match, which helps systems detect many common errors before a barcode is accepted.
Barqode can create the barcode artwork, but it does not issue official EAN, GTIN or GS1 numbers. Use a properly assigned number when the code will be used on real retail products.
Start with 12 digits
If you have 12 digits, Barqode can calculate the final EAN-13 check digit automatically.
Validate 13 digits
If you already have a complete 13 digit barcode number, the final digit should match the EAN-13 checksum.
Export artwork
Use SVG, EPS or PDF for packaging and print layouts, PNG for quick previews and JPG when a system only accepts JPG uploads.
What is a 13 digit barcode called?
A 13 digit retail barcode is usually called EAN-13, sometimes written as EAN13. It is part of the EAN/UPC barcode family and is widely used on product packaging.
Can I make a 13 digit barcode from 12 digits?
Yes. EAN-13 uses 12 base digits plus one calculated check digit. Barqode can calculate the 13th digit and render the barcode.
Is a 13 digit barcode the same as a UPC?
Not exactly. UPC-A uses 12 digits and is common in North America. EAN-13 uses 13 digits and is widely used internationally.
Can I generate a 13 digit barcode online?
Yes. Use the EAN-13 generator to enter 12 digits and calculate the final digit, or enter a complete valid 13 digit code and export the barcode artwork.
Do I need a GS1 number for a retail barcode?
For real retail or marketplace use, the barcode number should usually come from GS1 or the appropriate issuing system. Barqode creates artwork from the number you enter.
What is the difference between a barcode number and barcode artwork?
The barcode number is the identifier, such as a GTIN or EAN-13 value. The artwork is the visual barcode symbol created from that number for packaging, labels or documents.
Can I check if a 13 digit barcode is valid?
You can check whether the final digit matches the EAN-13 checksum. That confirms the number is technically well formed, but it does not prove the number is officially assigned.