Barcode Guide
UPC vs EAN: What's the Difference? UPC-A vs EAN-13
UPC and EAN are common retail product barcode formats. UPC-A normally represents 12 digits, while EAN-13 represents 13 digits. The right choice depends on the identifier assigned to your product and the requirements of the retailer, marketplace, or trading partner that will scan it.
UPC vs EAN at a glance
| Feature | UPC-A | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 12 | 13 |
| Common market | United States and Canada | International retail markets |
| Purpose | Product identification and point-of-sale scanning | Product identification and point-of-sale scanning |
| Generator | UPC-A Generator | EAN-13 Generator |
What is a UPC barcode?
UPC stands for Universal Product Code. UPC-A is the familiar 12-digit retail barcode commonly used on products in the United States and Canada. It represents a product identifier in a machine-readable symbol for compatible scanners and point-of-sale systems.
Learn more in What Is a UPC Barcode? or create a symbol with the UPC-A Barcode Generator.
What is an EAN barcode?
EAN originally referred to European Article Number, although EAN standards are now used broadly around the world. EAN-13 contains 13 digits and is widely used for retail product identification in international markets.
Learn more in What Is an EAN Barcode? or create a symbol with the EAN-13 Barcode Generator.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
The most visible difference is the number of digits: UPC-A uses 12 digits and EAN-13 uses 13. They are related retail product-identification standards, but they should not be treated as arbitrary interchangeable strings. Use the identifier and format required by the system that will receive or scan the product.
Which should you use?
- UPC-A: use it when your product has a UPC-A identifier or a workflow specifically requires UPC.
- EAN-13: use it when your product has an EAN-13 identifier or a workflow requires EAN.
- Retail or marketplace requirements: check the destination system before printing packaging or labels.
- Identifier accuracy: keep the assigned identifier unchanged when generating its barcode symbol.
Can a UPC and EAN identify the same product?
Related UPC and EAN representations can be used across markets, but UPC and EAN are not simply interchangeable strings. Follow the applicable product-identification rules rather than manually changing digits to make an identifier fit another format.
Does BarcodeYard assign UPC or EAN numbers?
No. BarcodeYard generates barcode symbols from identifiers you provide. Product identifiers must come from the appropriate issuing system or organization; generating a barcode image does not create a valid product identifier.
Frequently asked questions
Is UPC the same as EAN?
No. They are related retail barcode standards, but UPC-A normally represents 12 digits and EAN-13 represents 13 digits.
Is EAN better than UPC?
Neither is universally better. The correct choice depends on the assigned identifier and the requirements of the retailer, marketplace, or supply chain.
Can I convert a UPC to an EAN?
Do not manually alter a product identifier. If a different representation is required, follow the applicable product-identification and trading-partner rules.
Can I generate a UPC or EAN barcode for free?
Yes. BarcodeYard can generate the barcode symbol from an identifier you already have. It does not assign or sell product identifiers.