UPC, EAN, GTIN, ISBN explained & which one you need

There are only two really important barcode numbers you need to know:

  • 1

    UPC (Uniform Product Code)

    - Most likely the one you need to use

    - Used exclusively in US & Canada

    - 12 digits: 1+12345+12345+1

  • 2

    EAN (European Article Number)

    - aka International Article Number

    - You only need it if you are selling internationally

    - It is actually the same as your UPC but with a Zero in front

    - 13 digits: 1+123456+123456 (0+your 12 digit UPC number)

Other barcode number lingo out there that you probably don’t need to worry about:

  • GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) ALL official GS1 issued barcode numbers are GTINs. That includes UPC, EAN, ISBN, etc. GTINs can be 8,12,13 or 14 digits

  • ISBN (International Standard Book Number) used for books & magazines, etc. 13 digits, used to be 10.

  • GLN (Global Location Number) 13 digits, identifies a unique location, not a product. It is used by GS1, the official global barcode authority) in connection with a company’s GTIN

  • ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) 10 alphanumeric characters. Used by Amazon to group products that are considered to be the same.