Quick answer: type the 7 digits of your GTIN-8 – the eighth digit, the check digit, is added automatically – and download the barcode. At 100 % an EAN-8 is only 26.7 × 21.3 mm, about two thirds of an EAN-13.
When EAN-8 is the right choice
EAN-8 exists for one reason: packs where an EAN-13 simply does not fit – lip balm, nail varnish, chewing gum, pencils, small sachets. GS1's rule of thumb is that you may use EAN-8 only when the EAN-13 would take up more than a quarter of the largest printable side of the pack (or more than 40 cm² of label). If the EAN-13 fits, use it.
EAN-8 numbers are a scarce resource. GS1 offices hand them out one by one on request, instead of letting you build them from your company prefix as with EAN-13. Ask your GS1 office for a GTIN-8 for each small product.
EAN-8 at a glance
| Digits | 8 = 7 data digits + 1 check digit |
| Size at 100 % | 26.73 × 21.31 mm (bar width 0.330 mm) |
| Quiet zones | 7 bar widths left and right |
| Structure | two halves of four digits separated by a centre guard |
| Internal use | numbers starting with 0 or 2 are restricted-circulation numbers for in-store use |
How to create an EAN-8 barcode
- Type 7 digits. Enter the first seven digits of the GTIN-8 you received from GS1. Paste all eight to have the check digit verified.
- Keep it big enough. Leave the bar width at 0.33 mm if the label allows it. Shrinking an already short code makes it much harder to scan.
- Check the scan test. A green tick under the preview confirms the barcode reads back as your number.
- Save the file. Download SVG or PDF for packaging artwork, or PNG for a label printer.
Not enough room even for EAN-8?
For tiny items such as loose fruit stickers or jewellery tags, retailers increasingly accept GS1 DataBar, which carries a full GTIN-14 in a narrower space. Another option is a 2D GS1 DataMatrix, provided the store's scanners read 2D codes.
Common mistakes with small barcodes
- Shrinking too far: an EAN-8 at 60 % may look fine on screen but fail at the till. Stay at 80 % or more.
- Printing on a curved surface: on a lipstick or pen, turn the barcode so the bars run around the curve, not along it.
- Cutting the quiet zone: the label edge or a printed frame too close to the bars stops many scanners.
- Using a made-up number: an EAN-8 that is not registered to you will not be accepted by retailers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn my EAN-13 into an EAN-8?
No. EAN-8 is a separate number, not a shortened EAN-13. You need a GTIN-8 issued by your GS1 office.
Is EAN-8 the same as UPC-E?
No. Both are short barcodes for small packs, but UPC-E is a compressed UPC-A number used mainly in North America, while EAN-8 is its own 8-digit number.
Can I make EAN-8 barcodes for my own shop?
Yes. Numbers starting with 0 or 2 are reserved for internal use (restricted circulation), so they will not clash with other companies’ products inside your store.
Why does my EAN-8 have < and > marks?
They show how far the blank margins must extend. Keep that area free of text and graphics.
Can I add a 2- or 5-digit add-on?
Yes, but it is rarely used with EAN-8. Leave the add-on empty for normal products.