EAN-13 and UPC-A are the two most common barcode formats for retail products. They look similar, they serve the same purpose, and they are closely related standards. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right format for your product.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| EAN-13 | UPC-A | |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 13 | 12 |
| Region | International (used worldwide) | US and Canada primarily |
| Leading digit | Country/company prefix | Always starts with 0 for US products |
| Governing body | GS1 International | GS1 US |
| Backward compatibility | UPC-A is EAN-13 with a leading 0 | — |
| Use in Europe | Yes | Not standard |
| Use in North America | Yes (compatible) | Yes (native standard) |
EAN-13: The International Standard
EAN-13 (European Article Number) is a 13-digit barcode used across Europe, Asia, and most of the world. Every EAN-13 barcode starts with a GS1 country prefix (2–3 digits) that indicates the country of the issuing organization — not necessarily the country of manufacture.
The structure of an EAN-13 barcode is: GS1 company prefix (7–11 digits) + product reference (1–5 digits) + check digit (1 digit) = 13 digits total. The exact split between the company prefix and product reference depends on the size of the prefix you are assigned.
The 13th digit is a check digit calculated from the first 12. When you enter 12 digits into BarcodeForge, the check digit is computed and appended automatically. When you enter a full 13-digit number, the generator validates the check digit.
UPC-A: The North American Standard
UPC-A (Universal Product Code Type A) is a 12-digit barcode developed in the United States in the early 1970s. It is the standard barcode format for products sold at retail in the US and Canada.
A UPC-A barcode consists of: number system digit (1 digit) + manufacturer number (5 digits) + product number (5 digits) + check digit (1 digit) = 12 digits. The number system digit is typically 0 for most grocery products, 3 for pharmaceuticals, 5 for coupons, and so on.
How EAN-13 and UPC-A Relate to Each Other
Every UPC-A barcode is a valid EAN-13 barcode with a leading zero added. The 12-digit UPC-A number 012345678905 becomes the 13-digit EAN-13 number 0012345678905. Modern barcode scanners can read both formats interchangeably — a scanner set to read EAN-13 will also read UPC-A.
This means that if you have a UPC-A barcode, it will be readable in both North America and internationally. If you are selling only in the US and Canada, UPC-A is sufficient. If you are selling internationally or want a single barcode that works worldwide, use EAN-13.
Which Should You Choose?
- •Selling in the US and Canada only: UPC-A is the native standard and is accepted everywhere in North America
- •Selling internationally or in Europe, Asia, or Australia: use EAN-13
- •Selling on Amazon, eBay, or other global marketplaces: EAN-13 is preferred since it covers more regions
- •Already have a UPC-A number: it is fully compatible with EAN-13 readers, so you may not need to change anything
Do I Need an Official Number?
For internal use — inventory management, prototyping, or testing systems — you can use any number. For selling through retailers, Amazon, or other commercial channels, you need a GS1-assigned company prefix. GS1 issues prefixes to businesses. You then assign product numbers under your prefix.
Some resellers sell "recycled" or unofficial UPC numbers. These can cause duplicate barcode issues. For commercial retail use, always get a GS1-assigned number from gs1.org to ensure your barcode number is globally unique.