If you're going to sell products on marketplaces like Amazon, AliExpress or eBay, or in your own online store, sooner or later you'll come across EAN barcodes. In this guide we explain what an EAN barcode is, how it's structured, how it differs from UPC and GTIN, and —most importantly if you've made it this far— how to get yours in just a few minutes so you can start listing products today.
What is an EAN barcode?
The EAN (European Article Number) is a coding system that uniquely identifies every consumer product through a numeric barcode. It was born in Europe as an evolution of the US UPC and today it's an international standard managed by the GS1 organization and adopted in more than a hundred countries.
Its purpose is simple but essential: it lets any optical reader —the scanner at a supermarket checkout, the one in a warehouse or a marketplace's system— identify the product at high speed and retrieve its associated information (name, price, stock) without typing anything. In online commerce, the EAN is also the "license plate" platforms use to match your offer with the right product within their global catalog.
When we talk about an "EAN barcode" we almost always mean the EAN-13, the 13-digit format you'll see on virtually any product on a store shelf.
How is an EAN-13 code structured?
The EAN-13 is made up of 13 digits organized in four blocks:
- Country prefix (2-3 digits): identifies the GS1 organization that issued the range of numbers. Prefixes starting with 84 (840-849) correspond to GS1 Spain, but they indicate where the company was registered, not where the product is manufactured. There's no separate "EAN-84" format: 84x is simply the beginning of a Spanish EAN-13.
- Company number: identifies the brand owner or manufacturer within the GS1 database.
- Product number: assigns a unique identifier to each specific item from that company.
- Check digit (1 digit): calculated mathematically from the previous twelve, it lets the scanner detect reading errors.
A diagram showing the anatomy of the EAN-13 (prefix, company, product and check digit) helps a lot to visualize it; we'll look at it numerically in the next section.
How the check digit is calculated
The last digit isn't arbitrary: it's obtained with an algorithm based on modulo 10. The procedure, applied to the first 12 digits, is:
- Multiply the digits in odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th…) by 1 and the digits in even positions (2nd, 4th, 6th…) by 3.
- Add up all those results.
- Work out how much is needed to reach the next multiple of ten (that is, 10 minus the remainder of dividing the sum by 10). That number, from 0 to 9, is the check digit.
For example, for the 12 digits 400638133393: the weighted sum is 60; the remainder modulo 10 is 0, so the check digit is 0 and the full EAN-13 is 4006381333930. You don't need to do this by hand: when you buy your codes they already come with the check digit calculated and verified, but understanding the calculation helps you spot a code that's been copied wrong.
EAN-13 vs EAN-8: which do I need?
There's a shorter version, the EAN-8, with only 8 digits, designed for very small products where a 13-digit code physically won't fit: cosmetics, chewing gum, pens, keyrings. For the vast majority of products —and almost always when you sell on marketplaces— the standard is the EAN-13.
If you're unsure which format to order, we explain in detail the differences between EAN-13 and EAN-8 and when to use each one. Quick rule: always start with EAN-13 and reserve the EAN-8 only for tiny packaging.
EAN, UPC and GTIN: the differences
It's common to confuse these terms, but the relationship is simple: GTIN is the family and EAN/UPC are members of that family.
- UPC-A (Universal Product Code): the 12-digit standard used mainly in the United States and Canada.
- EAN-13: the 13-digit standard used in the rest of the world. In fact, a 12-digit UPC-A becomes an EAN-13 by adding a leading 0.
- GTIN (Global Trade Item Number): the umbrella term that covers them all. An EAN-13 is a GTIN-13 and a UPC-A is a GTIN-12. That's why, when Amazon or Google ask you for a "GTIN", your EAN-13 code works perfectly.
| Format | Digits | Equivalent to | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 13 | GTIN-13 | Worldwide standard; what you need to sell online |
| EAN-8 | 8 | GTIN-8 | Tiny products with no room for the EAN-13 |
| UPC-A | 12 | GTIN-12 | USA and Canada |
| GTIN-14 | 14 | — | Cases and outer packaging (logistics) |
Why do I need an EAN code to sell online?
Most marketplaces require a GTIN/EAN to list a product, because it's the way to identify it unambiguously within their global catalog:
- Amazon: requires a valid EAN/UPC to create most product listings (except brands with a GTIN exemption). We cover it in detail in barcodes for Amazon and in the guide on how to upload products to Amazon with your EAN.
- Other marketplaces: use the EAN to match your offer with the product and improve its visibility. We have specific guides for barcodes for AliExpress, barcode for eBay and EAN for Google Shopping.
- Your own e-commerce: it speeds up inventory, checkout and logistics. It's very easy to add EAN codes in Shopify or set up your EAN in PrestaShop.
- Your own brand or manufacturing: if you make your own items, see how to generate the barcode for your own product.
One EAN per product and per variant
This is the mistake that costs the most: every product and every variant needs its own unique code. If you sell a t-shirt in three sizes (S, M and L), that's not one EAN, it's three different EANs. And if that t-shirt also comes in two colors, that's six combinations, meaning six codes. Work out the number of variants carefully before buying so you don't fall short or have to repeat the process.
GS1 vs resellers: where do the codes come from?
This is the trust question almost everyone asks. There are two ways to obtain valid EAN codes:
- Registering directly with GS1: you get your own company prefix, but it involves a joining fee and recurring annual fees. It makes sense if you're going to register thousands of references and need your own brand prefix.
- Buying from a reseller like EAN CODA: you acquire legitimate and fully functional EAN codes that come from GS1 ranges, paying once and with no annual fees. It's the fastest and most affordable option for most online sellers.
Let's be transparent: we are not GS1 and we don't issue you your own company prefix. We assign you valid GS1 codes under a reselling model, which lets you start selling in minutes and with no fees. To sell on Amazon, eBay, AliExpress or your own store, that's exactly what you need.
Common mistakes when using EAN codes
- Reusing an EAN across several variants: using the same code for different sizes or colors creates catalog conflicts and rejections on Amazon.
- Check digit copied wrong: typing the code by hand and changing a figure makes the reader treat it as invalid. Always copy the exact number you receive.
- Duplicate GTIN: trying to list a product with an EAN already linked to another listing causes errors. Each reference, its own code.
- Wrong image format: uploading a low-resolution code the scanner can't read, or using a file meant for screen for printing.
What formats you receive and what they're for
When you buy your codes, you receive them ready to use in several formats depending on the destination:
- JPEG / PNG: ideal for the web, marketplace listings and digital use.
- EPS / TIFF: vector and high quality, designed for printing and physical product labelling, where sharpness is critical so the scanner reads without errors.
Frequently asked questions about EAN codes
Does the EAN identify the country of manufacture?
No. The prefix (for example, 84x for Spain) indicates the GS1 organization that registered the range of numbers, that is, where the company signed up, not where the product is manufactured. A product made in Asia can perfectly carry an EAN with a Spanish prefix.
Do I need to be a GS1 member?
It's not mandatory. You can register with GS1 with its annual fees, or buy valid EAN codes from a reseller like EAN CODA with a single payment. To sell online, both work the same on marketplaces.
Do EAN codes expire?
No. Once you buy them and assign them to your products, they're yours forever and they don't involve renewals or fees. As long as you don't discontinue the product, the code remains valid.
Can I reuse an EAN across several products?
You shouldn't. The rule is a unique code for each product and each variant. Reusing it causes duplicates, catalog conflicts and rejections on platforms like Amazon.
Does my EAN work as a GTIN on Amazon?
Yes. When Amazon asks you for a "GTIN", your EAN-13 code meets the requirement, because an EAN-13 is a GTIN-13. Unless your brand has been granted a GTIN exemption, you'll need a valid EAN to create the listing.
How much does an EAN code cost?
At EAN CODA, from 3 € per code, in a one-time payment and with no annual fees. The more you buy, the lower the price per unit. You receive them by email in minutes.
How do I get my EAN barcodes?
With EAN CODA the process is immediate: you choose the number of codes you need, pay securely and receive your EAN codes by email within a few minutes, in the formats you need (JPEG, EPS or TIFF). They are valid GS1 codes, with no annual fees: you pay once and they're yours forever. Plus, you'll have free tools to manage, label and invoice your codes from your panel.
Buy your EAN codes now → From 3 €, one-time payment, delivery in minutes and formats ready for web and print.