Barcode Introduction > EAN-13
EAN-13 Overview
EAN-13, also called GTIN 13, is a numeric barcode symbology. That is to say, barcode EAN-13 only encodes number 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The length of data encoded by EAN-13 is fixed. In all, it has 13 digits which include 12 character digits and one checksum. The check digit in each EAN-13 is designed for improving its data security.

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EAN-13 is one member of the EAN/UPC barcode symbology family that can be accompanied by a supplement barcode. To be specific, 2-digit or 5-digit Add-On symbol is allowed be added to an EAN-13 main barcode.
The EAN bar codes were once used only in Europe, but now in all over the word. Today, EAN-13, a GS1 compatible barcode, is commonly applied to mark products often sold in a supermarket or some retail points of sale. Besides, it also plays an important role in modern logistics.
EAN-13 Generation
EAN-13 Generator for .NET - .NET Barocde Component for EAN-13 generation in Windows and Web Applications

EAN-13 Generator for Winforms - A windows forms development tool for EAN-13 barcode image generation

EAN-13 Generator for ASP.NET - An ASP.NET SDK to insert EAN-13 barcode image in ASP.NET projects

PDF-417 Generator for Java - Java Class Library that is used for EAN-13 bar code image generation in Java

EAN-13 Generator for Android - Smartphone Barcode Component for PDF-417 generation in Android system
EAN-13 Structure
EAN-13 barcode image is comprised of left quiet zone, left guard, left six data characters, centre guard, right six data characters, right guard and right quiet zone.
In addition, EAN-13 barcode data includes four parts: number system, manufacturer code, product code and one check digit.
ean_13_barcode
Number System: It is comprised of two or three digits, which stands for a county code.
Manufacturer Code: It consists of five or four digits, which is a unique code assigned by the country numbering authority to each manufacturer.
Product Code: It is made up of five digits, which is a unique code assigned by the manufacture.
Check Digit: This is an essential factor when the accuracy of the encoded data is verified.
EAN-13 Checksum Calculation
EAN-13 is self-checking with one mandatory check digit that can be calculated from 12 encodable characters. Below is an example of EAN-13 checksum digit calculation, which will be automatically added by KeepAutomation products.
The encoded data is "690875397621".

690: stands for a country code
8753: stands for the manufacturer code
97621: stands for the product code

The process of checksum calculation is as follows:

Sum of numbers in odd position (O): 6 + 0 + 7 + 3 + 7 + 2 = 25
Sum of numbers in even position (E): 9 + 8 + 5 + 9 + 0 + 1 = 32
Then: O * 3 + E = 25* 3 + 32= 107
10 - 7 = 3
Thus, its checksum is 3 and this barcode data with check digit should be "6908753976213".
EAN-13 & EAN-8 & UPC-A Comparison
Since EAN-13, EAN-8 and UPC-A belong to EAN/UPC barcode family, they have many similarities. Absolutely, some differences still exist among them.
Comparison EAN-13 EAN-8 UPC-A
Similarities Encodable Data Digits 0 to 9 Digits 0 to 9 Digits 0 to 9
Symbology Type Continuous Continuous Continuous
Check Digit Modulo Modulo 10 Modulo 10 Modulo 10
Directionally Decodable Omni-directionally Omni-directionally Omni-directionally
Differences Symbol Length Fixed: 13 digits Fixed: 8 digits Fixed: 12 digits
Application Used to mark products often sold in a supermarket or some retail points of sale. Used on small packages where an EAN-13 barcode would be too large, like cigarettes, pencils and chewing gum packets. Used to retail in North America, and in countries including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for tracking trade items in stores.