European Article Number (EAN-8)

A compact 8-digit retail barcode for small products where EAN-13 won't fit, encoding country, manufacturer, product, and check digit.

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Introduced

1977

Developer

GS1 (formerly EAN International)

Data Capacity

Exactly 8 digits

Character Set

Numeric only (0-9)

What is EAN-8?

EAN-8 is the little sibling of EAN-13, designed specifically for small products where the standard barcode simply won't fit. Chewing gum packs, lipsticks, small candy bars, and cigarette packs typically use EAN-8 because there's no room for a full EAN-13. Despite its smaller size, EAN-8 works with all the same retail scanners and systems as EAN-13.

History of EAN-8

EAN-8 was introduced alongside EAN-13 in 1977 as part of the original EAN system. It was designed from the start as a space-saving alternative for small packages. Unlike EAN-13 where companies can assign their own product numbers, EAN-8 codes are allocated directly by GS1 member organizations because the limited number of available codes (100 million possible combinations minus reserved ranges) must be carefully managed to prevent duplication.

How EAN-8 Works

The 8 digits in an EAN-8 are structured: • **Digits 1-2 or 1-3**: GS1 prefix (country/region code) • **Remaining digits**: Product identifier (assigned by GS1 member organization) • **Last digit**: Check digit (modulo 10) Unlike EAN-13, EAN-8 codes don't contain a separate manufacturer code. The entire code is assigned as a unit by the local GS1 organization. The barcode has the same structure as EAN-13 but with fewer digits: left guard, left data (4 digits), center guard, right data (4 digits), and right guard.

Technical Specifications

Symbology Type	Linear (1D)
Character Set	Numeric only (0-9)
Data Capacity	Exactly 8 digits
Check Digit	Modulo 10 (mandatory, auto-calculated)
Standard Size	26.73mm × 21.31mm (100% magnification)
Magnification Range	80% to 200%
Minimum X-Dimension	0.264mm at 80% magnification
Quiet Zone	7 modules on each side

Common Use Cases

Small Consumer Products

Gum, mints, lip balm, small candy - products too small for EAN-13.

Cigarettes & Tobacco

Cigarette packs commonly use EAN-8 due to space constraints.

Cosmetics

Lipsticks, small makeup items, and personal care products.

Sample Sizes

Trial-size products, sachets, and single-serve items.

Produce Stickers

Those tiny stickers on apples and bananas often use EAN-8.

Industries Using EAN-8

RetailConsumer GoodsFood & BeverageCosmeticsTobacco

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

✓Compact size - fits on small products
✓Same scanning infrastructure as EAN-13
✓Works at all retail checkouts worldwide
✓Simpler number structure than EAN-13

Disadvantages

✗Must be requested from GS1 - can't self-assign
✗Limited availability due to finite number space
✗Typically costs extra to obtain
✗Less common - some systems may not expect it
✗No manufacturer code embedded

When to Use EAN-8

Best For

•Products too small for EAN-13
•Packages under approximately 80cm²
•When barcode area is severely constrained

Not Recommended For

•Products with room for EAN-13 (use EAN-13 instead)
•New products (try EAN-13 first)
•Internal tracking (use Code 128)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an EAN-8 code?

Unlike EAN-13, you can't generate EAN-8 codes from your company prefix. You must request them directly from your local GS1 member organization. They're typically only granted when you can demonstrate that EAN-13 won't fit on your packaging.

Why can't I just use EAN-13?

You should use EAN-13 whenever possible - it's more widely available and you can assign numbers yourself. EAN-8 is only for products where EAN-13 physically won't fit. GS1 organizations will ask for packaging samples or dimensions before granting EAN-8 codes.

What's the difference between EAN-8 and UPC-E?

Both are compact retail barcodes. EAN-8 is 8 digits used internationally. UPC-E is 8 digits (displayed as 6 plus implied digits) used primarily in North America. UPC-E is actually a compressed version of UPC-A, while EAN-8 is its own format.

Related Barcode Formats

EAN-13UPC-EUPC-A

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