UPC & EAN Barcode Generator
Turn a product number into the exact barcode format printed on retail packaging — UPC-A in the U.S. and Canada, EAN-13 in most other countries, or EAN-8 for small packaging. Enter your digits, and the check digit is calculated automatically. Need a general-purpose format instead? Try the Code 128 Barcode Generator. Marking a shipping case rather than an individual item? See the ITF-14 Barcode Generator. Just need to check a digit by hand without an image? Use the Barcode Check Digit Calculator.
Barcode Content
Enter digits above to preview your barcode
How to Use
- Choose a format: UPC-A for U.S./Canadian retail, EAN-13 for most other countries, or EAN-8 for small packaging that can't fit a full-size code.
- Enter your product number. Leave off the check digit and it's calculated for you automatically, or enter the full number (including a check digit) to verify one you already have.
- Watch the preview and status line update automatically as you type.
- Choose a download scale and download as PNG for most uses, or SVG for print-shop-ready artwork that stays sharp at any size.
Which Format Should I Use?
UPC-A — 12 digits
The standard retail barcode in the United States and Canada. Enter 11 digits for an automatic check digit, or all 12 to verify one.
EAN-13 — 13 digits
The international equivalent of UPC-A, used on retail packaging almost everywhere outside North America. Enter 12 digits for an automatic check digit, or all 13 to verify one.
EAN-8 — 8 digits
A shortened format for packaging too small for a full UPC/EAN code, like small tubes, candy, or cosmetics. Enter 7 digits for an automatic check digit, or all 8 to verify one.
Understanding the Check Digit
UPC and EAN barcodes end with a single check digit calculated from all the digits before it, using a standard weighted formula. It's a built-in error check — if a single digit is misread or mistyped, the check digit almost certainly won't match, so the scanning system knows to reject the read rather than ring up the wrong product. You don't need to calculate it yourself: leave it off and this tool fills it in, or enter a full number to confirm whether an existing check digit is correct. If you only need the digit itself rather than a barcode image, the Barcode Check Digit Calculator handles that directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get a UPC or EAN number to use?
Official, globally unique UPC/EAN numbers are issued by GS1 or a licensed reseller for products you intend to sell at retail. This tool generates the barcode image for whatever number you provide — it doesn't assign or register a number for you.
What happens if I enter the wrong number of digits?
The status line tells you how many digits are needed for the selected format. The barcode only renders once you've entered either the data-only length or the full length including a check digit.
Can I verify a check digit I already have?
Yes. Enter the full number, including what you believe is the correct check digit. If it renders successfully, the check digit is valid for that format.
What's the difference between UPC-A and EAN-13?
They use the same underlying check-digit math — a UPC-A number is actually a valid EAN-13 number with a leading zero. EAN-13 is simply the 13-digit superset used internationally, while UPC-A is the 12-digit version standard in the U.S. and Canada.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is generated locally in your browser — the numbers you enter are never uploaded or sent to a server.
