What is an EAN-13 barcode?
EAN-13 is the 13-digit product barcode used in retail and on marketplaces. The first digits are the GS1 prefix, then come the company and item numbers, and the last digit is a check digit calculated from the other twelve.
How the check digit is calculated
Multiply the 1st, 3rd, 5th… digits by 1 and the 2nd, 4th, 6th… by 3, and add everything up. The check digit is what it takes to reach the next multiple of 10.
Example: for 869123456789 the sum is 130, already a multiple of 10, so the check digit is 0 and the barcode is 8691234567890. The generator does this as you type.
GS1 barcodes or your own codes?
| Marketplace | Barcode rule |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Needs EAN/UPC codes registered with GS1, unless your brand has a GTIN exemption. |
| noon | Asks for a GTIN (EAN/UPC) barcode for each product. |
| Trendyol | Accepts your own codes as long as they are unique and follow its format (up to 40 characters). |
| Hepsiburada | Requires a barcode in most categories. |
For your own store, use codes that start with 20: GS1 reserves that range for internal use, so your numbers never clash with another company’s products.
Does the prefix show the country of origin?
No. The prefix shows which GS1 member organisation issued the number, not where the product was made. The check tab shows the issuing organisation for each code.