EAN-8
The 8-digit short-form retail barcode for very small packages where EAN-13 will not fit.
EAN-8 Specification
| Character set | Digits 0-9 only |
| Data length | Exactly 8 digits (7 data + 1 check) |
| Check digit | Mandatory Mod 10 check digit |
| Density | 67 modules total; 8 digits fixed capacity |
| Module width (X-dimension) | Nominal 0.33 mm X at 100% magnification |
| Print ratio | Variable-width bars and spaces |
| Magnification | 80%-200% of nominal |
| Quiet zone | 7X on each side |
| Standard | GS1 General Specifications; symbology basis ISO/IEC 15420 |
| Origin | EAN International (now GS1), 1977 |
| Sample data | 96385074 |
Try It: Generate a EAN-8 Barcode
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What Is EAN-8?
EAN-8 is the compressed sibling of EAN-13: a fixed 8-digit number (7 data digits plus a Mod 10 check digit) in a symbol only 67 modules wide — about 70% of EAN-13 length. GS1 reserves it for products too small to carry an EAN-13 with adequate quiet zones, such as chewing gum mini-packs, lipstick tubes, and single cigarettes in some markets.
Unlike EAN-13, EAN-8 numbers are not built from a company prefix plus item reference — each 8-digit number is assigned directly by the local GS1 member organization, which verifies that the package genuinely qualifies by size. That scarcity makes EAN-8 allocation more controlled and slower; for most products a full-size EAN-13 remains the correct choice.
Common Applications
- Very small retail packages (cosmetics, candy, cigarettes)
- Products where EAN-13 exceeds available label space
- Fixed 8-digit GS1-8 (GTIN-8) identification
Related Barcode Types
EAN-8 FAQ
How do I get an EAN-8 number?
Apply through your local GS1 member organization, submitting package dimensions to prove the product qualifies for the small-size exception. EAN-8 numbers are individually allocated rather than derived from a company prefix, so availability is managed by GS1 itself.
Is EAN-8 just a truncated EAN-13?
No — it is a separate number. There is no arithmetic way to shorten an EAN-13 into an EAN-8; the two identify different GTINs. If your only problem is physical width, consider reducing magnification of an EAN-13 within the allowed 80% minimum before requesting EAN-8s.