EAN-8 Barcode

EAN-8 is an eight-digit barcode format designed primarily for small retail products that have limited space for a standard barcode. It belongs to the EAN/UPC barcode family and is used to identify products when they are scanned at checkout.

You might find an EAN-8 barcode on small confectionery packages, cosmetics, or other compact items. Unlike larger retail barcodes, EAN-8 requires less horizontal printing space while still providing a standardized way to identify a product.

How Does an EAN-8 Barcode Work?

An EAN-8 barcode represents a unique product identification number known as a GTIN-8 (Global Trade Item Number). A barcode scanner reads the pattern of black bars and white spaces to identify the encoded number.

The checkout system then uses that number to retrieve product details from its database. The barcode itself does not store the product's name, price, or description.

EAN-8 Barcode Format and Example

An EAN-8 number contains exactly eight digits. The first seven digits form the assigned identification portion, while the final digit is a check digit calculated from the preceding numbers.

For example, consider the number 12345670. The first seven digits are 1234567, and the final digit, 0, is the correctly calculated check digit.

This is an illustrative number, not an officially assigned product identifier. A correct check digit confirms the number's mathematical structure but does not establish that it belongs to a registered product.

Where Are EAN-8 Barcodes Used?

EAN-8 barcodes are primarily used on small consumer products where printing a larger barcode at an acceptable size would be difficult. Examples include certain small candy packages, miniature cosmetics, and other compact retail items.

However, not every small product needs an EAN-8 barcode. GS1 applies specific allocation rules, and businesses should consider whether a standard retail barcode can fit before requesting a GTIN-8.

EAN-8 vs. EAN-13: What's the Difference?

The main difference between EAN-8 and EAN-13 is their length. EAN-8 represents eight digits, while EAN-13 represents thirteen digits.

EAN-13 is widely used for everyday retail products, whereas EAN-8 is intended for products with limited packaging space. An EAN-8 number is independently assigned, not created by shortening an existing EAN-13 number.

EAN-8 should also not be confused with UPC-E. Although both are compact barcode formats, UPC-E uses a zero-suppressed representation of a GTIN-12, while EAN-8 directly represents a GTIN-8.

Can You Generate an EAN-8 Barcode?

Yes. An EAN-8 barcode image can be created using a compatible barcode generator, provided the eight-digit number has a correct check digit.

However, generating a barcode image is different from obtaining an official product identification number. Businesses that need a GTIN-8 for commercial retail use must obtain an authorized number through GS1.

The finished barcode must also be printed at a suitable size, with sufficient contrast and clear spaces around the bars, to support reliable scanning.