UPC vs EAN Barcode: What Is the Difference?
How UPC and EAN barcodes differ, how both work as GTINs, and which you need for selling online.
If you sell physical products, you will meet two barcode types: UPC and EAN. Both are product identifiers managed by GS1, the global standards organisation, and both count as GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) in Google Merchant Center and most marketplaces.
UPC (Universal Product Code)
- 12 digits (UPC-A).
- Traditionally used in the United States and Canada.
- Also called GTIN-12.
EAN (European Article Number)
- 13 digits (EAN-13).
- Used in most of the rest of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America.
- Also called GTIN-13. The first digits indicate the GS1 member organisation that issued the prefix, not necessarily where the product was made.
Are they interchangeable?
A UPC can be expressed as an EAN by adding a leading zero: the 12-digit UPC 012345678905 becomes the 13-digit 0012345678905. Modern scanners in most countries read both. In product feeds, submit the number exactly as assigned โ Merchant Center accepts both lengths.
Other GTIN types
- GTIN-8 (EAN-8) โ short codes for small packages.
- GTIN-14 โ for cases and cartons in wholesale.
- ISBN โ books, which are also GTIN-13 numbers.
Read what a GTIN code is.
Which do you need?
It depends less on the code type and more on getting a genuine number registered to your brand. Contact your country's GS1 organisation to license a company prefix and create numbers for your products. The barcode format you print usually follows your main market's convention, but both work internationally for online selling.
Avoid cheap resold barcodes
Barcodes bought from resellers may be registered to another company. Marketplaces and Google can check GTINs against GS1 data, and mismatches can cause listing problems. For an Indian business, see how to get a barcode for your product in India; other countries follow a similar GS1 process.
Check your numbers
Every GTIN ends with a check digit calculated from the others. Typos and invented numbers usually fail this check. Validate your list with the bulk GTIN validator before uploading feeds. For products without barcodes, see what MPN is in Google Shopping.
A worked example
A Dutch cosmetics brand expanding to the US worried it needed new UPC barcodes. Its existing EAN-13 numbers from GS1 Netherlands were valid GTINs, accepted by US retailers' systems and by Merchant Center for US listings. It kept one number per product and avoided relabelling its stock.
Quick reference
- UPC-A: 12 digits, GTIN-12, common in North America.
- EAN-13: 13 digits, GTIN-13, common worldwide.
- EAN-8: 8 digits, small packages.
- ISBN-13: books, also a GTIN-13.
Keep a master spreadsheet of every product's GTIN so your website, feeds and marketplaces always use the same number.
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Frequently asked questions
Is an EAN the same as a GTIN?
An EAN-13 is a type of GTIN, specifically a GTIN-13.
Can I sell in the US with an EAN?
Yes, most modern systems accept EANs; check specific retailer requirements.
Do I need both UPC and EAN?
No. One genuine GTIN per product is enough.
Can I make up my own barcode number?
No. Invented numbers are not registered and can cause listing problems.