You are launching a line of 4-gram lip balms and the packaging designer says an EAN-13 will not fit on the tube without covering the logo. There is room for an eight-digit symbol, but you do not know how to build one.
How to use EAN-8 Barcode step by step
1. Type the 7 base digits
One per line. With 8 digits the tool checks that the last one is the right check digit.
2. Tune the bar size
Cut the height and bar width if your pack is tiny, and watch the preview to keep the number readable.
3. Download and test on the pack
Print a sample at real size, stick it on the product and scan it before the production run.
The Step Count: Traditional Friction vs. KorexTools
Fitting a code on a mini pack by trial and error (4 rounds)
- Ask the designer for an empty box the size of the tube.
- Try a shrunken EAN-13 until it stops scanning.
- Request another trimmed version and print again.
- Find out in the shop that the scanner does not recognise it.
With the EAN-8 Generator on KorexTools (3 steps)
- Type the seven digits of each reference.
- Reduce height and width until it fits and the number stays readable.
- Download the PNG and send it to the pack designer.
EAN-8: the short code that exists for when the pack has no room left
An EAN-8 carries just eight digits (seven of data and one check digit) and is about two thirds the width of an EAN-13. It was designed for items where the full symbol would swallow more than an eighth of the printable surface: lipstick tubes, coin batteries, gum, ampoules or pens. That is why GS1 offices grant it case by case rather than as a convenience alternative.
Here you type the seven digits and the tool works out the eighth, draws the 67-module symbol and leaves its quiet zone intact. You can tweak height, bar width and text size so it fits on a tiny pack without making the number unreadable. The whole process runs in your browser and nothing is stored.
When an EAN-8 makes sense
- •When the free area on the pack cannot fit an EAN-13 with its margins.
- •For product trials or internal series where a short numeric code is enough.
- •If your product is normal-sized, EAN-13 avoids acceptance problems later.
EAN-8 versus EAN-13
| Aspect | EAN-8 | EAN-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Digits | 8 (7 + check) | 13 (12 + check) |
| Approx. width | 67 modules | 95 modules |
| Typical use | Tiny packaging | Standard-size products |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- ⚠️Mixing up the seven base digits with the final eight and doubling the check digit.
- ⚠️Printing on a glossy material that reflects the scanner light and hides the bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use EAN-8 on any product?
The tool will always draw it, but for retail GS1 only grants EAN-8 when the pack is too small for an EAN-13.
Why is my 8-digit code flagged as invalid?
Because the last digit must be the correct check digit. Type only seven digits and let the tool add the eighth.
Will any scanner read it?
Yes, point-of-sale readers all decode EAN-8, as long as the symbol is printed with solid contrast and keeps its white margins.
What I would do if I were in your shoes
«When pack space decides, start with EAN-8, but print three samples at real size before approving the artwork: what looks right on screen does not always scan on the box.» — DataKorex Engineering Team.