Free EAN-8 Barcode Generator

Create space-saving EAN-8 barcodes for small products. The compact barcode format designed for items where a full EAN-13 simply will not fit.

EAN-8 GENERATOR

Create your free EAN-8 instantly

Generate EAN-8 barcodes for free. No registration required, no watermarks, no limits.

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What Is an EAN-8 Barcode?

EAN-8 is an abbreviated version of the EAN-13 barcode standard, defined in ISO/IEC 15420. It uses just eight digits — a 2-3 digit GS1 prefix, a product reference, and a modulo-10 check digit — to identify items too small for a full-size barcode. The symbology was created to solve the labeling challenge posed by miniature consumer goods.

The physical barcode is considerably narrower than an EAN-13 (nominally 21.38 mm versus 37.29 mm at 100% magnification), which makes it the go-to choice for products like chewing gum packs, lipstick tubes, and individually wrapped candies. Despite its reduced digit count, it retains the same encoding structure and guard-bar patterns as EAN-13.

EAN-8 numbers are assigned directly by GS1 Member Organizations rather than derived from a company prefix. This controlled allocation ensures global uniqueness while minimizing the digit count. Manufacturers must apply specifically for EAN-8 codes and demonstrate that the product packaging cannot physically accommodate an EAN-13 barcode.

How to Create a EAN-8 Barcode

  1. 1

    Enter 7 Digits

    Input the first seven digits of your EAN-8 number. The generator will automatically calculate and append the eighth check digit.

  2. 2

    Select EAN-8 Format

    Choose 'EAN-8' from the barcode format menu so the generator applies the shortened encoding scheme with correct guard bars.

  3. 3

    Adjust Design Settings

    Configure the barcode colors and scaling to fit your product's miniature label while maintaining high readability contrast.

  4. 4

    Preview the Result

    Examine the rendered barcode to ensure all eight digits are correct and the symbol fits within your designated label area.

  5. 5

    Download and Apply

    Export the barcode as a vector SVG or high-resolution PNG and place it on your small-product packaging or tag artwork.

Key Features

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Ultra-Compact Size

At just 21.38 mm nominal width, EAN-8 barcodes fit on the tiniest product labels where a full EAN-13 would be illegible.

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Automatic Check Digit

The generator calculates the modulo-10 check digit instantly, removing the risk of manual calculation mistakes.

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Full POS Compatibility

Every retail scanner that reads EAN-13 also reads EAN-8 without configuration changes, ensuring seamless checkout globally.

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Scalable Vector Export

Download your barcode in SVG format to scale it perfectly for any packaging artwork without losing print clarity.

Use Cases

Confectionery and Candy Wrappers

Candy manufacturers print EAN-8 barcodes on small wrappers and miniature boxes where there is no room for a standard 13-digit barcode.

Cosmetics and Lipstick Tubes

Beauty brands apply EAN-8 codes to lipstick, eyeliner, and sample-size packaging to meet retail scanning requirements on tiny labels.

Individual Beverage Sachets

Coffee and tea companies encode product data in EAN-8 barcodes on single-serve sachets sold individually at convenience stores.

Chewing Gum Packs

Gum manufacturers label slim blister packs with EAN-8 codes that cashiers can scan without rotating or searching the package.

Small Electronics Accessories

Producers of batteries, USB adapters, and memory cards place EAN-8 barcodes on blister cards that lack sufficient space for larger codes.

Promotional Miniature Samples

Brands distributing trial-size shampoos, lotions, and snacks through retail channels use EAN-8 to meet shelf-scanning requirements on miniature containers.

Tips & Best Practices

  • check_circleApply for an EAN-8 number through your local GS1 Member Organization — these codes are allocated individually, not through a company prefix.
  • check_circlePrint the barcode at no less than 80% of the nominal SC2 size to maintain compliance with GS1 minimum-dimension specifications.
  • check_circleEnsure a minimum quiet zone of 7 modules on the left and right sides of the barcode to prevent boundary-detection errors.
  • check_circleTest printed samples at your target scanner distance, especially if the label is curved around a cylindrical container.
  • check_circleUse matte lamination over the barcode area to minimize glare that can interfere with laser-based point-of-sale scanners.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use EAN-8 instead of EAN-13?expand_more
Use EAN-8 only when your product packaging is physically too small to carry a standard EAN-13 barcode at the minimum allowed magnification. GS1 specifically requires manufacturers to demonstrate that the package cannot accommodate EAN-13 before issuing an EAN-8 number.
How many digits does an EAN-8 barcode have?expand_more
An EAN-8 barcode encodes exactly eight digits. The first two or three digits are the GS1 prefix, followed by the item reference, and the final digit is a check digit calculated with the modulo-10 algorithm.
Can I convert an EAN-13 to an EAN-8?expand_more
No. EAN-8 numbers are assigned independently by GS1 and are not derived from EAN-13 codes. You must apply for a separate EAN-8 allocation if your product qualifies for the compact format.
Do all retail scanners support EAN-8?expand_more
Yes. EAN-8 uses the same guard-bar patterns and encoding principles as EAN-13. Every GS1-compliant point-of-sale scanner recognizes both formats automatically, so checkout compatibility is not a concern.
What is the minimum print size for EAN-8?expand_more
The GS1 General Specification permits EAN-8 barcodes at magnifications from 80% to 200% of the nominal 21.38 mm width. At 80% magnification the barcode is approximately 17.1 mm wide, which is the absolute minimum for reliable scanning.

Other Barcode Types

Aztec CodeCode 128 BarcodeCode 39 BarcodeEAN-13 BarcodeUPC-A BarcodeData MatrixPDF 417

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