EAN barcode

The EAN code is a type of barcode that encodes an article number. Originally, only European Article Numbers (EANs) were encoded in EAN codes. However, since 2009 EAN codes have also been encrypting Global Trade Item Numbers (GTIN).

Important remark: EAN code does not have the same meaning as EAN. EAN stands for the "European Article Number". This term was introduced by the predecessor of the GS1 with the aim of providing all European products with individual article numbers. In 2009 the EAN was replaced by the 13-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN).

The EAN code has several variants. Below is a summary of each one:

EAN8

The EAN8 code identifies the manufacturer and the product. It is made up of eight digits: a 2-3-digit country code and a 4-5-digit article code and check digit. The EAN8 code is mainly used for small articles on which there is little space for labeling.

EAN8 P2

For magazines and paperbacks, the EAN8 code is often supplemented with additional digits (e.g. for weights or prices). The EAN8 P2 code consists of an EAN8 code and two additional digits, which are encoded in a separate barcode to the right of the EAN8 code.

EAN8 P5

The EAN8 P5 code supplements the EAN8 code with five digits. In the case of magazines and paperbacks, these numbers are usually used to indicate the product price. As with the EAN8 P2 code, the additional digits are encoded in a separate barcode to the right of the EAN8 code.

EAN13

A complete GTIN is encrypted in the EAN 13 code, the classic EAN code. This code is used to mark products in retail stores so that they can be scanned at supermarket checkouts, for example.

EAN13 P2

In the case of magazines and paperbacks, the EAN13 code is often supplemented with additional digits (e.g. for weights or prices). The EAN13 P2 code consists of an EAN13 code and two additional digits, which are encoded in a separate barcode to the right of the EAN13 code.

EAN13 P5

The EAN13 P5 code supplements the EAN13 code with five digits. For magazines and paperbacks, these numbers are usually used to indicate the product price. As with the EAN13 P2 code, the additional digits are encoded in a separate barcode to the right of the EAN13 code.

EAN14

The EAN14 code is used to encode a 14-digit GTIN. The first digit is a special “Packaging Indicator”. In addition, a two-digit, predefined data identifier (AI) is given in brackets in front of the GTIN.

EAN128 (also known as GS1-128)

The EAN128 code offers universal application possibilities, for example in retail, logistics, mail order or for food labeling. In addition to the GTIN, the EAN128 code also encodes quantities, weight, price, etc. This can be up to 48 user data. In contrast to the other EAN codes, not only the digits 0 to 9 can be coded in the EAN128, but also letters in upper and lower case and other characters (a total of 128 different characters of the ASCII code).

The EAN13 code consists of a barcode, 13 numbers and a check digit:

Barcode

The GTIN is encoded in the barcode. Read from left to right, the code consists of the following components:

• Edge marking.
• Coding of digits two to seven of the GTIN (using a special sequence of even and odd digits, the first GTIN digit is also encoded in these numbers).
• Middle mark.
• Coding of the digits eight to 13 of the GTIN.
• Edge marking.

The barcode consists of black and white lines of different widths. Behind this is a binary code system consisting exclusively of zeros and ones. In the EAN code, black lines stand for ones and white lines for zeros. So that the code can be read out in both directions, the first digit on the left is always odd. The barcode scanner recognizes the reading direction and can rotate the code during decoding if necessary.

13 numbers

In addition to the barcode, the repetition of the corresponding GTIN in plain text is part of the EAN code. The digits are below the barcode. The first digit is on the far left in front of the first edge marking. The remaining digits are each below the barcode part in which they were encrypted. The Global Trade Item Number is made up of a two-digit country code, a five-digit manufacturer code (together they form the individual Global Location Number or GLN), a freely selectable sequence of digits and a check digit.

Check digit

The check digit is the 13th digit of the GTIN and must be recalculated for each sequence of digits.

EAN codes on labels enable article numbers to be read out automatically (for example at supermarket checkouts). In contrast to manual readout, this process is not only much faster, but also less error-prone. It thus increases the efficiency of processes in retail, logistics and manufacturing.