EAN-8 Barcode Generator
Generate compact EAN-8 retail barcodes for smaller product packages where EAN-13 may be too large.
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EAN-8 Barcode Generator
Quick answer: An EAN-8 barcode encodes 8 digits including one check digit, governed by ISO/IEC 15420. It exists specifically for small packaging where a full EAN-13 symbol would be too large to print legibly. GTIN-8 numbers are allocated directly by GS1 Member Organisations on application — they are not derived from a company prefix.
What an EAN-8 barcode is
EAN-8 stands for European Article Number, 8 digits. The governing standard is ISO/IEC 15420, the same EAN/UPC specification that covers EAN-13 and UPC-A. GS1, the global supply chain standards body, administers the allocation of GTIN-8 numbers through its national Member Organisations.
EAN-8 and GTIN-8 refer to the same entity: GTIN-8 is the data structure, and EAN-8 is the barcode symbology that carries it. The symbol is shorter than EAN-13 because it encodes fewer digits. That shorter physical length is the entire reason for EAN-8's existence.
GS1 does not intend EAN-8 as a general alternative to EAN-13. It is issued to brand owners whose product packaging is physically too small to carry a legible EAN-13 symbol. A GTIN-8 application requires justification of pack size to the GS1 Member Organisation.
EAN-8 technical specification
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | EAN-8 / GTIN-8 | GS1 General Specifications |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 15420 (same as EAN-13) | GS1 General Specifications |
| Digit count | 8 (7 data + 1 check) | GS1 General Specifications v10 §2.1.2.1 |
| Character set | Numeric only (0–9) | GS1 General Specifications |
| Check digit | GS1 modulo-10 (same algorithm as EAN-13, applied to 7 digits) | GS1 General Specifications §7.10.1 |
| GTIN-8 allocation | Assigned directly by GS1 Member Organisations on request — not self-allocated from a company prefix | GS1 General Specifications §2.1.2.1.6 |
| Typical use | Small packages where EAN-13 symbol would be too large | GS1 documentation |
How the EAN-8 check digit is calculated
The GS1 modulo-10 algorithm applies to the first 7 digits. From the right, multiply digits at odd positions by 3 and digits at even positions by 1. Sum all seven products. Subtract the units digit of that sum from 10. If the result is 10, use 0.
This is the same algorithm as EAN-13, simply applied to a shorter string.
Worked example: calculate the check digit for 9638507_ (underscored digit unknown).
Digits 1–7: 9 6 3 8 5 0 7
From the right (position 1 = rightmost = digit 7): 7 at position 1 (odd): ×3 = 21 0 at position 2 (even): ×1 = 0 5 at position 3 (odd): ×3 = 15 8 at position 4 (even): ×1 = 8 3 at position 5 (odd): ×3 = 9 6 at position 6 (even): ×1 = 6 9 at position 7 (odd): ×3 = 27
Sum = 21 + 0 + 15 + 8 + 9 + 6 + 27 = 86
Units digit of 86 = 6. Check digit = 10 − 6 = 4.
Complete EAN-8: 96385074.
EAN-8 structure and module count
EAN-8 contains 67 bar-and-space modules: a 3-module left guard, 28 modules encoding the first four digits, a 5-module centre guard, 28 modules encoding the last four digits (including the check digit), and a 3-module right guard. The shorter physical width is what makes EAN-8 viable on small packaging.
When to use EAN-8 — and the pack-size decision rule
Use EAN-8 when your packaging is physically too small to carry an EAN-13 symbol at any magnification within the permitted 80%–200% range.
The practical decision rule: if a correctly sized EAN-13 at 80% magnification does not fit on the printable area of your pack face, you may apply to your GS1 Member Organisation for a GTIN-8. GS1 does not grant GTIN-8 numbers on convenience — the application requires evidence of the packaging constraint.
Situations where EAN-8 is the appropriate format:
Small cosmetics and toiletries. Lip balm tubes, mascara wands and miniature perfume vials often have a printable area shorter than an EAN-13 symbol.
Confectionery and small food items. Single-serving packs, individual sweets and small condiment sachets may qualify.
Small hardware and fasteners. Retail-packaged bolts, drill bits or blister-pack items with a narrow spine face.
Situations where EAN-8 is not appropriate:
Do not use EAN-8 simply because you prefer a shorter barcode or because a tool lets you generate one. GTIN-8 numbers are GS1-controlled and require an official application. Generating an 8-digit symbol with an arbitrary number does not produce a legitimate EAN-8 for retail use.
EAN-8 versus EAN-13 — choosing the right format
| EAN-8 | EAN-13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Digit count | 8 (GTIN-8) | 13 (GTIN-13) |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 15420 | ISO/IEC 15420 |
| Symbol width | Shorter | Standard |
| Allocation | GTIN-8 assigned directly by GS1 Member Organisation | GTIN-13 derived from GS1 company prefix |
| Use case | Small packaging where EAN-13 will not fit | Standard retail product labelling |
| Application requirement | Requires GS1 pack-size justification | Standard GS1 prefix licence |
EAN-13 is the default. Choose EAN-8 only when a documented pack-size constraint makes EAN-13 physically impractical and your GS1 Member Organisation has approved a GTIN-8 allocation.
Design and print requirements
Print EAN-8 at 80%–200% of nominal size, the same magnification range as EAN-13. The shorter symbol does not mean it can be printed smaller in absolute terms — the bar width must still meet the minimum printable tolerance of your press or label printer.
Maintain adequate quiet zones on both sides of the symbol. The narrower the symbol, the easier it is to accidentally clip a quiet zone when die-cutting labels. A cropped quiet zone is the most common production cause of scan failures at checkout for small-pack items.
Use dark bars on a light background. Avoid printing over imagery, gradients or coloured substrates without first conducting a pre-press reflectance check. Metallic label stock and bright-coloured backgrounds reduce the contrast that the scanner's photodetector requires.
Bar height matters as much as bar width. EAN-8 symbols on very small packs can be tempting to shorten vertically to save space. Reducing bar height below the specified minimum increases the risk of misreads because the scanner beam must align accurately with a shorter target. Maintain the standard bar height whenever possible.
Export from this generator at 2048 px or higher for print-ready artwork. SVG format is preferred for artwork files sent to a pre-press house because it scales losslessly to any output resolution. PNG at 4096 px is suitable for most thermal label printer workflows.
Troubleshooting: why your EAN-8 is not scanning
Check digit is wrong. Enter all 7 data digits and verify the check digit against the GS1 modulo-10 algorithm before printing. The Smart Barcode Intelligence validation catches this before export.
Symbol is too small in absolute print size. Even though EAN-8 is shorter than EAN-13, the individual bars must meet your printer's minimum bar-width capability. Increase the magnification or switch to a higher-quality print method.
Quiet zones are clipped. A die-cut label that trims to the edge of the bars removes the scanner's detection margin. Ensure the label artwork includes the full quiet zones outside the barcode.
Wrong number of digits entered. EAN-8 requires exactly 8 digits, including the check digit. Entering 7 digits without the check digit produces a different symbol.
The GS1 licensing requirement for EAN-8
A barcode generator produces a correctly structured symbol. It does not allocate GTIN-8 numbers, and it does not give you a right to use any 8-digit string on retail packaging.
GTIN-8 numbers are assigned directly by GS1 Member Organisations on request. Unlike GTIN-13 (where the brand owner derives item references from their company prefix), each GTIN-8 is individually allocated. This means:
- You cannot derive a valid GTIN-8 from your GTIN-13 company prefix.
- You cannot self-assign an 8-digit number and register it later.
- You must apply to your local GS1 Member Organisation and demonstrate the pack-size constraint.
GS1 US pricing for standard GTINs (source: https://www.gs1us.org/upcs-barcodes-prefixes/what-is-a-prefix, verified 2026-06-02): a single GTIN costs $30. Contact your national GS1 Member Organisation for GTIN-8-specific pricing and application requirements — GTIN-8 allocation is handled separately from company prefix applications.
Legitimate uses of this generator for EAN-8 format barcodes:
- Reprinting a label for a GTIN-8 you already own from GS1.
- Producing packaging artwork with a placeholder that is clearly marked internal.
- Testing scanner compatibility in a warehouse or store setup.
- Internal inventory codes in EAN-8 format that never enter the GS1 supply chain.
Using this barcode in Bahrain and international supply chains
Bahrain retailers, importers, manufacturers and logistics teams should match identifiers to the rules of their trading partners. Retail GTINs must come from the proper issuing organisation; a generator creates artwork but does not assign ownership. Internal stock and asset references may use organisation-defined values when the receiving system supports them.
Use British English in operational guidance where it matches your organisation’s style, and add Arabic instructions for teams that need them. Print under the actual conditions of use. Bahrain’s heat, bright light, dust, curved packaging and reflective laminate can expose contrast or surface problems that are invisible on a monitor.
Keep quiet zones clear, avoid stretching the image, and prefer dark bars on a plain light background. Scan samples from the beginning, middle and end of a print run. For regulated retail, healthcare, publishing or logistics use, confirm the current GS1, ISBN-agency, customer or industry specification before approving production.
Before you print
- Correct symbology selected
- Identifier ownership confirmed
- Check digit verified
- Quiet zones kept clear
- Strong bar contrast
- Aspect ratio unchanged
- SVG or high-resolution PNG
- Production scanner test
Frequently asked questions
Open a question to read a concise technical answer.
01What is an EAN-8 barcode?+
An EAN-8 barcode encodes 8 digits — a GS1-assigned prefix, an item reference and one check digit — in a short linear bar pattern defined by ISO/IEC 15420. It is also known as GTIN-8. EAN-8 exists specifically for small retail packaging where a full EAN-13 symbol would be too large to print legibly. All retail POS scanners that read EAN-13 also read EAN-8.
02When do I use EAN-8 instead of EAN-13?+
Use EAN-8 only when your product packaging is physically too small to carry an EAN-13 symbol at the minimum permitted magnification of 80%. GS1 issues GTIN-8 numbers selectively and requires a pack-size justification. EAN-8 is not simply the shorter version you choose for convenience — it is a separate number range with a separate application process.
03How do I get an EAN-8 number?+
Apply to your national GS1 Member Organisation with evidence that your packaging cannot accommodate an EAN-13 symbol. Each GTIN-8 is allocated individually by GS1 — it cannot be self-assigned or derived from a GTIN-13 company prefix. Contact your local GS1 office for the application procedure and any applicable fees.
04Is EAN-8 the same as GTIN-8?+
Yes. GTIN-8 is the 8-digit data structure; EAN-8 is the barcode symbology that encodes it. They refer to the same number. The GTIN-8 sits within the broader GTIN family (which also includes GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14). All GS1-issued GTIN-8 numbers are unique within the global GTIN namespace.
05How is the EAN-8 check digit calculated?+
Apply the GS1 modulo-10 algorithm to the first 7 digits. From the right, multiply digits at odd positions by 3 and digits at even positions by 1. Sum the products. Subtract the units digit of the total from 10. If the result is 10, use 0. For example, 9638507 produces a sum of 86, a units digit of 6, and a check digit of 4, giving 96385074. Source: GS1 General Specifications §7.10.1.
06What products use EAN-8?+
EAN-8 is used on small consumer goods where packaging space is constrained: lip balm and miniature cosmetics, small confectionery items, individual condiment sachets, and narrow-packaged hardware such as single drill bits or fasteners. The common factor is a printable face that cannot fit an EAN-13 at the minimum 80% magnification.
07Can I create an EAN-8 barcode for a small package without applying to GS1?+
You can generate the symbol, but for retail or marketplace use the encoded number must be a GS1-allocated GTIN-8. Using an invented 8-digit number creates a scannable symbol that will fail GS1 registry checks and risk retailer rejection. For purely internal use — inventory labels that never leave your supply chain — an invented number does not conflict with any registry.
08Is EAN-8 just a shorter EAN-13 I can pick freely?+
No. EAN-8 uses a separate number range (GTIN-8) administered by GS1 Global Office, not by individual company prefixes. You cannot shorten a GTIN-13 to create a GTIN-8, and you cannot choose EAN-8 simply because it is more compact. GS1 reserves GTIN-8 allocation for packaging that genuinely cannot carry EAN-13. If your pack has room for EAN-13 at 80% magnification, that is the format you should use.
09Does EAN-8 use the same check digit method as EAN-13?+
Yes. Both use the GS1 modulo-10 algorithm. The only difference is that EAN-8 applies the algorithm to 7 data digits and EAN-13 applies it to 12. The weighting pattern — alternating ×3 and ×1 from the right — is identical in both cases. Source: GS1 General Specifications §7.10.1.
10Is the EAN-8 barcode generated in the browser?+
Yes. The barcode is generated entirely in your browser. The digits you enter are not transmitted to any server. The only data that leaves your device is the image file you download.