EAN-8 number generator — short barcode numbers for small packs

How to use the EAN-8 generator

1. Pick the Mode: Generate test values or Validate or complete.
2. When generating, keep the Prefix on 0 or 2: restricted circulation (safe for tests), or choose Any prefix. Set How many (up to 500) and press Generate.
3. When checking, type into EAN-8 (or the first 7 digits to get the check digit).
4. Seven digits return the Check digit and Full EAN-8; eight digits return Result with the digit given and expected.

What it does and when to use it

EAN-8 is the short form of the European Article Number. It carries 7 data digits and 1 check digit, which is enough for a small product range but nowhere near enough for every company, so GS1 hands EAN-8 numbers out sparingly.

The most common jobs for this page are testing a till or inventory app that has to accept both 8- and 13-digit codes, making labels for shelf or loose items in your own shop, and checking a number that has been read off a tiny pack. If your item has room for a normal barcode, use the EAN-13 generator; for North American shelves, the UPC-A generator. To draw the barcode itself, paste the number into the barcode generator and choose EAN-8.

How it works

EAN-8 uses the same GS1 mod-10 rule as the longer codes, but with seven data digits the weights start with 3:

1. Multiply the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th digits by 3, and the 2nd, 4th and 6th by 1.
2. Add everything up.
3. The check digit brings the total up to the next multiple of 10.

Test numbers start with 0 or 2, followed by six random digits from crypto.getRandomValues, and then the check digit.

Worked examples

• Completing a code. For 9638507: 9×3 + 6 + 3×3 + 8 + 5×3 + 0 + 7×3 = 86. Four more makes 90, so the tool returns Check digit: 4.
• Checking it. The full code 96385074 gives Result: Valid.
• Another one. 5512345 gives Full EAN-8: 55123457.
• Test numbers. One run gave 04674238 and 03555729, both in the restricted range, with the standard test-values note.

Limits and tips

• Leading zeros matter. Store EAN-8 numbers as text, not numbers, or a spreadsheet will drop the 0 and break the code.
• The tool does not convert EAN-8 to EAN-13; they are separate number systems, not padded versions of each other.
• A correct check digit only proves the digits are consistent, not that a product exists.