What is EAN-13?

EAN-13 is the international standard for retail product barcodes. It uses 13 digits — the first 2-3 identify the country, the next 4-6 identify the manufacturer, and the last is a modulo-10 check digit. Unlike UPC-A (North America only), EAN-13 scans everywhere — European supermarkets, Asian convenience stores, and global Amazon marketplaces. Standard print size is 37.3mm by 26mm with a minimum 7x quiet zone on both sides.

FAQ

EAN-13 vs UPC-A — which should I use?

EAN-13 has 13 digits and works worldwide. UPC-A has 12 digits and is North America only. If in doubt, use EAN-13 — it is accepted everywhere.

Do I need to register an EAN-13 barcode?

Yes. Buy a GS1 company prefix, which gives you a range of EAN-13 numbers to assign to your products.

Can I scan EAN-13 barcodes with a phone?

Yes. Most modern phones with a camera can scan EAN-13 using any free barcode scanner app. I tested this daily on the warehouse floor.

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