If you're about to label your products, you've probably run into the same question almost everyone does: EAN-13 vs EAN-8, which one do I need? The short answer is that, except in very specific cases, what you're looking for is an EAN-13. But it's worth understanding why, because choosing wrong can stop you from listing on Amazon or eBay. In this guide we explain the differences between the two formats, how many digits each one has, what physical size they take up in millimetres, what their structure looks like and which suits you depending on where you sell.
In short
- Choose EAN-13 in 95% of cases. It's the standard of global commerce and the only one marketplaces accept without friction.
- The EAN-8 is only justified on tiny packaging (chewing gum, lipsticks, seed packets) where an EAN-13 won't fit even reduced to the smallest legible size.
- They aren't interconvertible: each format is assigned separately and has its own check digit; you can't "trim" an EAN-13 down to 8 digits.
- To sell online (Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping) you need a GTIN-13, which is exactly the same as an EAN-13.
- The EAN-8 isn't cheaper as a rule: it's scarcer and GS1 reserves it for justified cases, so don't ask for it "to save money".
- Rough size: an EAN-13 measures ~37 × 26 mm at 100%; an EAN-8, ~26 × 21 mm. That difference in width is the whole reason the EAN-8 exists.
Both formats belong to the EAN standard, managed by the international organisation GS1, which is the body that assigns the prefixes to manufacturers and resellers. They aren't rival systems: they're two sizes within the same family, designed for different situations.
EAN-13 vs EAN-8 at a glance
Before getting into the detail, here's the quick comparison. If you only want the bottom line, look at the "selling online" row.
| Feature | EAN-13 | EAN-8 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of digits | 13 digits | 8 digits |
| GTIN equivalent | GTIN-13 | GTIN-8 |
| Nominal size (100%) | ~37.29 × 25.93 mm | ~26.73 × 21.31 mm |
| Permitted scaling | 80%–200% of nominal | 80%–200% of nominal |
| Data + check digits | 12 data + 1 check | 7 data + 1 check |
| Typical use | Most consumer products | Tiny products with little space |
| Good for selling online? | Yes, it's the one marketplaces ask for | Limited: many platforms don't accept it well |
| Availability | Wide, assigned immediately | More restricted (GS1 reserves it for justified cases) |
What an EAN-13 is (and why it's the standard)
The EAN-13 has 13 digits and is the barcode you see on practically any supermarket product. It's the default format of global commerce and the one expected by checkout scanners, warehouses and marketplaces.
Its structure is made up of three parts:
- GS1 prefix (which includes the country code): the first digits identify where it was registered. For example, those starting with 84x correspond to Spain. It's worth clearing up a very common mistake: that prefix sits inside the EAN-13 itself; there is no format called "EAN-84".
- Item reference: the central digits identify the specific product within the assigned range.
- Check digit: the last digit is calculated from the preceding ones using a mathematical formula and lets the scanner detect misreads.
An example EAN-13 would be 8412345678905: the 841 points to Spain, the central digits identify the manufacturer and product, and the final 5 is the check digit. The idea is always the same: prefix + reference + check digit.
As for the physical size, an EAN-13 at 100% measures approximately 37.29 × 25.93 mm, including the quiet zones (the white side margins that are essential for scanning). GS1 allows it to be scaled between 80% and 200%, so the reliable minimum is around 30 × 21 mm. Below 80% the bars become too thin and read errors start: that's why a very small package can stop accepting a reliable EAN-13, and that's where the EAN-8 comes in.
The check digit is calculated with the modulo 10 algorithm: the digits in even and odd positions are added with different weights (3 and 1), the next multiple of 10 is found and subtracted. It's not decorative: it lets the scanner detect a corrupt read and reject it instead of registering the wrong product. That's why you can't make up a code: if the last digit doesn't add up, no scanner accepts it as valid.
What an EAN-8 is (the compact version)
The EAN-8 has only 8 digits and was created for a very specific problem: products so small that a 13-digit code physically won't fit. We're talking about chewing gum, lipsticks, seed packets, pens or individual sweets, where printing a legible EAN-13 would be impossible.
Its structure is the same idea scaled down: a shorter GS1 prefix, an item reference (7 data digits in total) and a check digit calculated with the same modulo 10 algorithm. By encoding less information, it takes up far less label width and prints crisply even on tiny packaging.
The size difference is exactly why it exists. An EAN-8 at 100% measures around 26.73 × 21.31 mm, versus the ~37 mm width of the EAN-13. That's about 10 mm less in width: little on paper, but decisive on the base of a lipstick or the side of a seed packet. When an EAN-8 is genuinely justified: when you've already reduced the EAN-13 to the permitted 80% and it still won't fit on the package's printable surface. If an EAN-13 fits, even tightly, use the EAN-13.
There's an important point many people don't know: an EAN-8 is not a "trimmed" EAN-13. You can't take your 13 digits and keep 8, nor turn one into the other. They're independent assignments, and GS1 reserves EAN-8 ranges precisely because they're scarce and only granted when the package size genuinely justifies it. In fact, in many countries GS1 requires a specific application stating the product's real dimensions before releasing an EAN-8.
EAN, UPC and GTIN: how they fit together
As you research, you'll probably come across terms like GTIN and UPC. Don't get confused, they're all part of the same thing:
- GTIN is the umbrella name (Global Trade Item Number). An EAN-13 is exactly the same as a GTIN-13, and an EAN-8 is equivalent to a GTIN-8.
- UPC-A is the 12-digit format native to the United States market. It's compatible with the EAN system (a UPC-A is a GTIN-12), but in Europe the reference standard is the EAN-13.
To put it another way: if you're asked for a "GTIN" or a "barcode", to sell in Spain and Europe what you need is an EAN-13.
Marketplace validation: why the format matters
This is the underlying practical reason. When you upload a product to a marketplace, its system validates the code you enter in two steps: it checks that the check digit adds up with the formula and that the format fits what the catalogue expects. Most platforms are built around the GTIN-13, and some internally normalise everything to 13 or 14 digits.
In practice, this means that:
- Amazon: asks for a valid GTIN (EAN-13 or UPC). The EAN-8 can throw errors like "the code doesn't match the catalogue" depending on the category. The safe bet is the EAN-13.
- eBay and Google Shopping: the gtin attribute expects 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits, but optimised feeds and listings with enriched data perform better with EAN-13.
- Your own store (Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop): the barcode field accepts both, but if you later export to a marketplace, the EAN-13 saves you redoing listings.
Bottom line: if there's the slightest chance you'll sell online some day, start directly with an EAN-13 and you'll avoid migrations and rejections.
Which one should I choose? Decision tree
The practical rule is simple. Run through this decision tree top to bottom and stop as soon as an answer is "yes":
- Are you going to sell online now or in the future (marketplaces, your own shop with a product feed)? → EAN-13, without a doubt.
- Do you distribute in physical retail (supermarkets, big-box stores)? → EAN-13; it's what their checkout scanners expect.
- Is your packaging so small that an EAN-13 won't fit even reduced to 80%? → only then consider the EAN-8 (and check with your provider).
- In any other case → EAN-13.
The reason is that the big sales channels require the standard format. Whether you're preparing your barcodes for Amazon listing, an eBay ad or a catalogue feed, the EAN-13 fits without friction. For specific cases there are dedicated guides: barcode for eBay, EAN for Google Shopping or, if you're launching your own brand, barcode for your own product.
Common mistakes when choosing
- Asking for an EAN-8 "because it's shorter and seems cheaper": it isn't the default choice. If your plan is to sell online, it'll give you compatibility problems.
- Believing the "EAN-84" exists: it doesn't. The 84 is just Spain's country prefix within a normal EAN-13.
- Trying to make an EAN-8 by trimming an EAN-13: impossible; the check digit wouldn't add up and the scanner would reject it.
- Reusing the same code across several variants: every product and every variant (colour, size, flavour) needs its own code.
How to get your EAN code
Once you're clear on the format, all that's left is to get it. At EAN CODA we work as a reseller of legitimate GS1 codes: we assign you an official, valid EAN-13, ready to use on any marketplace, from €3, a one-off payment with no annual fees. You receive it by email within minutes, with no registration paperwork or waiting. It's the fastest and cheapest alternative to registering with GS1 yourself.
Buy your official EAN-13 right now from the purchase widget, or check the EAN CODA panel to manage your orders. If you have a tiny product and think you need an EAN-8, write to us first and we'll advise you with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How many digits does each format have?
The EAN-13 has 13 digits and the EAN-8 has 8 digits. For reference, the US UPC-A has 12. They all belong to the GTIN family.
Does the EAN-8 work for Amazon and other marketplaces?
In practice we always recommend the EAN-13 for selling online. Marketplaces are built around the 13-digit format (GTIN-13), and using an EAN-8 tends to cause validation problems. If your goal is to sell online, go straight for the EAN-13.
Can I convert an EAN-13 into an EAN-8?
No. They aren't the same number trimmed down: each format is assigned separately and has its own check digit. You can't transform one into the other.
Is the EAN-8 cheaper?
Not necessarily. The EAN-8 is reserved for cases justified by package size and its availability is more limited. The EAN-13, by contrast, you can have from €3 with a one-off payment. The price difference is no reason to choose EAN-8.
Do I need to register them with GS1 myself?
You don't have to. You can register directly with GS1 (slower and with fees), or get a valid GS1 code through a reseller like EAN CODA, which is the fastest and cheapest route. The code you receive is official and compatible with all scanners.
What physical size does each barcode take up?
An EAN-13 at 100% measures around 37.29 × 25.93 mm, and an EAN-8 around 26.73 × 21.31 mm, white margins included. Both can be scaled between 80% and 200%, so the reliable minimum for an EAN-13 is around 30 mm wide. Below that, the bars become too thin and read errors start.
How is the check digit calculated?
With the modulo 10 algorithm: the digits in even and odd positions are added with weights 3 and 1, the next multiple of 10 is found and subtracted. That last digit lets the scanner detect read errors. That's why you can't make up a code: if the check digit doesn't add up, no scanner or marketplace will accept it.
Does an EAN-13 work for selling both in physical stores and online?
Yes. The EAN-13 is the universal format: supermarket checkouts read it and marketplaces and product feeds accept it. With a single official EAN-13 you can sell in physical retail, on Amazon, on eBay and in your own store without changing codes.