EAN-13 vs UPC-A: Which Barcode Do You Need?
Published 9 October 2026
EAN-13 and UPC-A are the two barcodes you'll see on products in shops. They look nearly identical, which is no accident. Here's how they differ and how to choose.
The short answer
If you sell mainly in the United States or Canada, a retailer may ask for a UPC-A (12 digits). Almost everywhere else, products use an EAN-13 (13 digits). Both are read by modern scanners worldwide, so in practice the deciding factor is usually what your retailer or marketplace asks for.
What they have in common
Both are retail barcodes defined by GS1, the standards organisation behind product numbers. Both end in a check digit that lets a scanner catch a misread. And both are printed as the familiar pattern of bars with a number underneath.
What's different
- Length: UPC-A has 12 digits. EAN-13 has 13.
- Where it's used: UPC-A is the traditional format in North America. EAN-13 is used in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and much of the rest of the world.
- The extra digit: an EAN-13 begins with a country or GS1 prefix. A UPC-A doesn't have that extra digit.
How a UPC-A becomes an EAN-13
A UPC-A is an EAN-13 with a zero added at the front. Take the UPC-A number 036000291452 and put a 0 in front, and you have the EAN-13 0036000291452. The check digit stays the same. That's why a scanner that reads EAN-13 reads UPC-A without any trouble, and why many systems store everything as 13 digits.
You can try this yourself. Make a UPC-A barcode, then scan it with the scanner or a barcode app. Many scanners will report the 13-digit form.
Which should you choose?
- Selling in North America only: UPC-A is the traditional choice.
- Selling in several regions or online: many sellers just use EAN-13 everywhere, since it works everywhere.
- Not sure: ask the retailer, distributor or marketplace what format they want. They'll usually tell you in their listing requirements.
One thing to know before you print
Both formats use numbers that are issued to your business by GS1. This site makes the barcode image. It doesn't issue product numbers. If you plan to sell through shops or big marketplaces, get your numbers first. We explain this in more detail in our guide to barcodes for products you sell.
When you have your number, make the barcode with the EAN-13 generator or the UPC-A generator. The check digit is worked out for you.
Which one will your retailer want?
Large shops and online marketplaces often say in their listing rules which they accept. Many now accept both, because modern scanners read both. If their form has a single "barcode number" box, they'll usually take the 12-digit or 13-digit version and work out the other themselves. If you're unsure, ask.
Small packs
If your pack is very small, there are compact versions of each: EAN-8 and UPC-E. They exist for items such as lip balm and sweets, where a full-size barcode won't fit. You normally need your GS1 office's permission to use these.
Cartons are different again
The barcode on a single product is not the one used on the box it ships in. Outer cartons often carry an ITF-14 barcode. The first digit shows the packaging level. Our check digit guide explains why the last digit of each of these changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a UPC-A be scanned as an EAN-13?
Yes. Modern scanners treat a UPC-A as an EAN-13 with a zero in front, which is why you may see a 13-digit number when you scan a 12-digit barcode.
Is an EAN-13 the same as an ISBN barcode?
An ISBN-13 is printed as an EAN-13 barcode. It starts with 978 or 979.
Do I need both a UPC and an EAN?
Usually not. One GTIN identifies one product. If you sell in several regions, an EAN-13 works almost everywhere.
Why does the generator add a check digit for me?
Because the last digit is calculated from the others. Type 11 or 12 digits and the generator works it out, then shows the complete number.