Generate EAN-13 Barcodes Online
Create standard 13-digit European Article Number (GTIN-13) barcodes for retail checkout and consumer packaging. Free vector SVG and high-resolution PNG exports with instant GS1 Modulo-10 checksum validation.
1. Barcode Data
EAN-13International 13-digit standard retail barcode used across Europe, India, Asia, and worldwide (GTIN-13). (13 digits (or 12 digits + calculated check digit))
2. Dimensions & Size Presets
Current: 86.4 × 47.5 mm @ 300 DPI
3. Additional Label Text
Add product title, SKU, MRP, or batch info in Manrope font
4. Color & Contrast
High optical contrast between bars and background is essential for reliable scanning
The Global Standard for Supermarket & Retail POS Scanning
EAN-13 (European Article Number, now known formally as GTIN-13) is the universal barcode symbology found on commercial consumer goods worldwide. From grocery packages and beverage cans to cosmetics and electronics, every retail POS register is calibrated to scan EAN-13 at lightning speed.
Embedro generates publication-grade, mathematically verified EAN-13 vector SVGs and print-ready label sheets with automatic GS1 Modulo-10 checksum validation, high-contrast quiet zones, and standard OCR-B human-readable digits.
EAN-13 Specifications
- StandardISO/IEC 15420 / GS1
- Total Digits13 Numeric Digits
- Check Digit FormulaGS1 Modulo-10
- Nominal 100% Size37.29 × 25.93 mm
- Permissible Scale80% to 200%
Anatomy of an EAN-13 Barcode: The 4 Component Blocks
Every 13-digit EAN symbol is systematically structured into four functional segments ensuring worldwide uniqueness across supply chains.
GS1 Country Prefix
Identifies the national GS1 organization that issued the license. Examples: 890 (India), 00–13 (US/Canada), 40–44 (Germany), 50 (UK).
Company / Brand Prefix
A unique number allocated by GS1 to the licensed manufacturer or brand owner, ensuring no two companies ever share identical item codes.
Item Reference Number
Assigned directly by the manufacturer to identify each specific product variant, package weight, flavor, or SKU within their product line.
Modulo-10 Check Digit
Calculated mathematically from the preceding 12 digits. Prevents optical scanner errors if a cashier or sensor misreads a bar.
In-Store Private Barcodes: Using Prefixes 20 to 29 Without GS1 Fees
Under GS1 international standards, numbers starting with digits 20 through 29 are formally designated as Restricted Distribution Prefixes. They are permanently reserved for private, internal store use.
Encodes variable product weight or price directly into digits 8–12 at the weigh scale.
Fast, free barcodes for freshly prepared foods sold exclusively within your own storefront.
Permitted under GS1 rules for closed-loop in-store billing inside your local ERP (Vyapar, Marg ERP, Petpooja, Tally) without external registration.
Modulo-10 Check Digit Calculation Walkthrough
Standard GS1 formula with alternating weights of 3 and 1 from right to left.
Consider the 12-digit payload 400638133393:
| Position | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digit | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3 |
| Weight | ×1 | ×3 | ×1 | ×3 | ×1 | ×3 | ×1 | ×3 | ×1 | ×3 | ×1 | ×3 |
| Product | 4 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
1. Sum of products = 4 + 0 + 0 + 18 + 3 + 24 + 1 + 9 + 3 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 89.
2. The nearest equal or higher multiple of 10 is 90.
3. Check digit = 90 − 89 = 1. Full EAN-13: 4006381333931.
GS1 Retail Scanner Tolerances & Quiet Zones
Supermarket checkout bi-optic scanners rely on precise dimensions. Adhering to standard magnification ranges supports reliable scan performance.
| Magnification | Total Width | Symbol Height | Narrow Bar (X-Dim) | Quiet Zones (L/R) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80% (Minimum allowable) | 29.83 mm | 20.74 mm | 0.264 mm (10.4 mils) | 2.90 mm / 1.85 mm |
| 100% (Nominal Target) | 37.29 mm | 25.93 mm | 0.330 mm (13.0 mils) | 3.63 mm / 2.31 mm |
| 120% (Recommended for boxes) | 44.75 mm | 31.12 mm | 0.396 mm (15.6 mils) | 4.36 mm / 2.77 mm |
| 200% (Maximum allowable) | 74.58 mm | 51.86 mm | 0.660 mm (26.0 mils) | 7.26 mm / 4.62 mm |
Frequently Asked Questions: EAN-13 Retail Barcodes
Everything you need to know about retail barcode compliance, registration, and check digits.
Free Forever for Offline Barcodes.
Cloud Sync & APIs for Scaling Teams.
All core 1D & 2D generation, label design, spreadsheet import, and A4/thermal printing are completely free with zero ads and codes that never expire. Upgrade only when you need multi-device cloud catalog sync or automated REST APIs.
Free Forever
For small businesses, retail shops, boutiques, and makers who need reliable, permanent barcode labels without monthly software bills.
No credit card needed • Codes never expire
D2C & Apparel
For growing boutique brands, apparel sellers, and retail stores with multi-variant product collections.
Billed annually at ₹2388/yr
High-Volume
For distribution warehouses, 3PL fulfillment hubs, and supermarket chains requiring automated generation.
Billed annually at ₹5988/yr
How Embedro Barcode Studio Compares to Typical Online Generators
Engineered for retail checkout, Amazon FBA packaging, apparel hangtags, and warehouse intake. See why businesses switch from generic generators to Embedro.
| Operational Feature | Embedro Barcode Studio Print Without Waste • Direct Optical Codes | Typical Online Generators Generic Portals • Sheet Waste & Paywalls |
|---|---|---|
Code Expiration on Physical Packaging Will your product barcodes continue scanning at supermarket checkout lanes and warehouse intake? | Never Expire (Permanent Validity) Direct-encoded optical bars strictly complying with GS1 and ISO standards. Once printed, they remain scannable forever without server dependencies. | Deactivated After Trial or Paywalled Many freemium generators route barcodes through proprietary redirect links, disabling physical packaging unless ongoing monthly fees are paid. |
Print Without Waste (Start from Slot #N) Can you resume printing on partially used A4 sticker sheets without throwing away blank labels? | Included Free (Pick Any Starting Slot) Select your exact starting slot (e.g. Slot #7 on a 24-up sheet) to resume printing on unused labels. Eliminates expensive paper and sticker waste. | Slot #1 Only (Forces Full Sheet Waste) Strictly starts printing from the top-left corner (slot 1), forcing businesses to discard partially peeled sticker sheets. |
Excel & Spreadsheet Auto-Repair How does the software handle Excel scientific notation (8.90123E+12) and missing leading zeroes? | Automated Repair Diff Modal Reads raw integers, detects corrupt CSV scientific notation, restores stripped leading zeroes, and calculates check digits with visible diff confirmation. | Naively Outputs Corrupted Barcodes Blindly encodes Excel exponential notation or truncated numbers into unreadable bars that get rejected by retail cashiers. |
GS1 Modulo-10 Check Digit Validation Automatic verification of mathematical checksums for EAN-13, UPC-A, EAN-8, and ITF-14. | Real-Time Modulo-10 Checksum Engine Calculates and verifies the check digit in real time. Flags mismatches instantly and offers single-click automated correction. | No Validation or Strict Rejection Generates mathematically invalid barcodes without warning, or fails silently, leaving businesses with thousands of unsellable labels. |
Physical 100 mm Scale Calibration Line Built-in measurement tool to prevent printer "Fit to Page" auto-scaling errors. | Included 100.0 mm Calibration Ruler Printable PDF includes a precise 100 mm scale check line so operators can verify with a physical ruler that bar widths are undistorted. | No Printer Calibration Safeguard Lacks scale verification. Desktop printer drivers frequently shrink labels by 3-5%, violating standard quiet zones. |
Live Camera Scanner & Preflight Verifier Testing optical scannability before mass printing thousands of commercial labels. | Built-In In-Browser Camera Decoder Scan your printed sample proofs live using your phone camera or webcam to inspect symbology, check digits, and contrast before printing batches. | Requires Separate Handheld Hardware No verification tool provided. Requires purchasing external handheld scanner guns to test whether printed codes work. |
Product Variant Matrix Multiplier Generating color × size variant combinations (e.g., Red/Blue/Black × S/M/L/XL). | Instant Variant Multiplier Define colors and sizes once to automatically generate all unique SKUs, barcode values, and collision warnings in a clean matrix. | Manual Individual Entry Only Operators must manually type and format each variant one by one, introducing human error and taking hours for multi-size apparel. |
Data Privacy & Catalog Confidentiality Where is your confidential product pricing, SKU catalog, and barcode database stored? | 100% Client-Side In-Browser Privacy All barcode rendering, spreadsheet parsing, and PDF compilation occurs entirely on your device. Zero proprietary product data uploaded. | Stored on Third-Party Cloud Servers Uploads your proprietary SKU list, wholesale cost data, and retail pricing to external third-party databases. |