How to Create an EAN-13 Barcode: Formats & Checksums

If you plan to sell physical items in global retail markets, you will need to print EAN-13 barcodes. EAN stands for European Article Number (now officially known as the International Article Number).

In this article, we explain the structure of EAN-13 codes, how to calculate the vital 13th check digit, and how to create the barcode graphics.

The Anatomy of an EAN-13 Barcode

An EAN-13 code is not just a random string of 13 numbers. Every digit block has a strict meaning:

Prefix (3 digits) + Manufacturer Code (4-5 digits) + Product ID (4-5 digits) + Checksum (1 digit)

1. GS1 Country Prefix (First 3 digits): Indicates the GS1 member organization where the company registered (e.g., 500-509 for the United Kingdom, 690-699 for China, 300-379 for France).
2. Company/Manufacturer Code: Issued to your business by GS1.
3. Item Reference Number: Allocated by you to identify the specific product variation (size, color, weight).
4. Checksum (Last digit): A mathematically calculated digit to verify the scan code is error-free.

How to Calculate the EAN-13 Checksum

The final 13th digit is calculated using a Modulo-10 weighted formula:

Step-by-Step Example (using 400638133393 as the 12 input digits):

1. Sum the Odd-Positioned Digits:
   • Positions 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
   • $4 + 0 + 3 + 1 + 3 + 9 = 20$
2. Sum the Even-Positioned Digits and Multiply by 3:
   • Positions 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
   • $0 + 6 + 8 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 23$
   • $23 \times 3 = 69$
3. Add the Two Results:
   • $20 + 69 = 89$
4. Calculate Checksum:
   • Find the next multiple of 10 equal to or greater than 89, which is 90.
   • Subtract the sum from this multiple: $90 - 89 = 1$.
   • The checksum digit is 1. The complete EAN-13 code is 4006381333931.

How to Generate EAN-13 Graphics

Instead of performing math calculations by hand, you can use our smart EAN-13 Barcode Generator:

1. Type your 12 digits into the input field.
2. Our tool automatically computes the correct 13th checksum digit and generates your high-resolution barcode preview.
3. If you type 13 digits, we verify your last digit. If it is mathematically incorrect, we warn you and auto-correct it.
4. Download the final graphic as PNG or SVG vectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I use an incorrect checksum in my barcode?

Scanning cash registers will beep with a “Format Error” or fail to scan entirely. Every retail store’s scanning database validates the checksum. Our generator helps protect you by auto-correcting any invalid user-provided checksums.

Are EAN-13 codes and barcodes identical?

The EAN-13 “code” is the literal sequence of 13 numeric digits. The “barcode” is the physical, printed black and white parallel stripes that can be optically decoded by a scanning gun.

Can EAN-13 codes have alphabetic letters?

No. The EAN-13 barcode standard strictly encodes digits from 0 to 9 only. If you need alphanumeric support, you should choose the Code 128 Barcode Generator.