What do the numbers on a barcode mean?

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A standard EAN-13 barcode has 13 digits: a 2–3 digit GS1 prefix (the registering country's GS1 organization), a manufacturer/company number, a product item number, and a final check digit that mathematically validates the whole code.

Reading left to right, the digits of an EAN-13 fall into four parts:

GS1 prefix (2–3 digits) — the national GS1 organization the brand registered with.
Company number — identifies the brand owner.
Item number — identifies the specific product.
Check digit (last) — calculated from the other 12 digits so a scanner can detect a misread.

The check digit is why a scanner beeps only when it reads a valid code. Shorter EAN-8 codes (8 digits) are used on small packs; North American UPC-A codes have 12 digits. Look up any code on our barcode lookup to see the product it belongs to.

FAQ

What is the last digit of a barcode?

It is the check digit — a number calculated from the other digits so scanners and databases can detect an error in the code.

How many digits does a barcode have?

An EAN-13 has 13 digits, a UPC-A has 12, and the shorter EAN-8 used on small packaging has 8.

ProductGuru is an independent information service and provides no legal or safety guarantees; for official product data consult GS1 and the manufacturer. Free to cite with attribution.