What is the EAN-8 Barcode? Practical Applications and Quick Creation Guide

March 7, 2025 - 3:55 PM

In today’s retail and supply chain landscape, not every product has enough space to print long standard barcodes like the EAN-13. For compact items such as cosmetics, candies, or single-dose pharmaceuticals, a more space-efficient encoding solution is essential—one that still provides all the necessary product information.

EAN-8 was developed as an optimal solution for products with limited packaging space. Despite having only 8 digits, this barcode contains complete product identification information, supporting accurate inventory management, retail automation, and traceability.

In this guide, iCheckQR will help you explore the structure, real-world applications, registration process, and fast methods for creating EAN-8 barcodes—saving you both time and cost.

1. What is EAN-8? Structure and Working Principle

Understanding the EAN-8 Barcode

EAN-8 (European Article Number 8) is a linear barcode format within the EAN system, developed by GS1 to encode unique product identification numbers. It is especially suitable for products with small packaging, where longer barcodes such as EAN-13 cannot be applied.

Compared to the more commonly used EAN-13, which contains 13 digits, EAN-8 has only 8 digits yet still ensures reliable product recognition and data validation. While EAN-13 is ideal for most consumer products, EAN-8 is optimized for compact items like candy, lipsticks, and small batteries.

Detailed Structure of the EAN-8 Barcode

An EAN-8 barcode consists of exactly 8 digits, divided into three main segments:

First 2–3 digits: Country code (assigned by GS1)
Next 4–5 digits: Product code (assigned by the manufacturer)
Last digit: Check digit (checksum), used to validate the entire code

This structure allows retail and logistics systems to identify, retrieve, and verify product information efficiently with a single scan.

2. Practical Applications of EAN-8

Which Products Should Use EAN-8?

The EAN-8 barcode is specifically designed for products with small packaging, where there isn't enough space to print a full EAN-13 code. It’s an ideal choice for compact consumer goods that still require encoding for inventory management and automated retail systems.

Typical examples include:

Small-format cosmetics (lipsticks, mini moisturizers)
Pens and other compact stationery items
Individually wrapped snacks or candies
Single-dose pharmaceutical packs or small bottles

Advantages and Disadvantages of EAN-8 Compared to EAN-13

Below is a detailed comparison between the two most widely used barcode standards today—EAN-8 and EAN-13—to help you choose the most suitable format based on your product type and packaging constraints:

Criteria	EAN-8	EAN-13
Number of digits	8	13
Barcode size	Small, space-saving	Medium, requires more space
Identification range	Limited product categories	Wider product coverage

Conclusion: EAN-8 is ideal for small-sized, low-variation products, while EAN-13 serves as a more comprehensive standard for diverse and large-scale product lines.

3. How to Register and Quickly Generate EAN-8 Codes

How to Register EAN-8 with GS1 Vietnam

To officially use EAN-8 codes on products for distribution, businesses must register through GS1 Vietnam, the authorized barcode-issuing organization in Vietnam. The registration process includes three basic steps:

Register for GS1 membership: Submit the required documents and fee to become a GS1 Vietnam member.
Provide product information: Enter detailed information about each product, such as name, category, dimensions, and weight.
Receive and implement the EAN-8 code: Once approved, the barcode can be printed on packaging and integrated into inventory systems.

How to Create Internal EAN-8 Codes Using Excel and iCheckQR

Besides official registration, you can also generate internal EAN-8 codes for purposes such as internal tracking, testing, or temporary usage.

Create barcodes using Excel:

Enter an 8-digit product code into an Excel spreadsheet.
Install and apply a barcode font (e.g., IDAutomationHC39M or Libre Barcode) to convert numbers into barcode format.
You can print directly from Excel or copy into a Word document.
How to create barcodes in Excel and Word

Create EAN-8 codes with iCheckQR:

Visit iCheckQR, go to the “Solutions” menu, and select “Generate Barcode.”
Choose the barcode type → Generate barcode EAN-8.
Enter a valid 8-digit number, and the system will automatically generate the corresponding barcode.
Download the image for printing or immediate use.

4. How to Print and Apply EAN-8 Barcodes to Actual Products

Integrating EAN-8 with Inventory Management and POS Systems

To optimize operational workflows, EAN-8 barcodes can be directly integrated into inventory management software and Point of Sale (POS) systems. When properly configured, the system automatically recognizes products via barcode scans, allowing for real-time updates of stock levels, pricing, and transaction history.

Basic setup guide:

Install a barcode scanner that supports EAN-8.
Configure your inventory or POS software to accept the EAN-8 format.
Assign each EAN-8 code to the corresponding product information (price, quantity, expiration date, etc.).
When scanned at checkout, the system automatically updates sales records and inventory data.

Tracking and Managing Goods with EAN-8 Barcodes

EAN-8 is not only for retail—it also serves as a powerful tool for businesses to accurately track and manage inventory. Once integrated into the management system, EAN-8 enables:

Traceability: Quickly identify manufacturers and product batches.
Expiration monitoring: Easily track and get alerts for soon-to-expire items.
Faster inventory checks: Rapid barcode scanning helps verify stock efficiently.

5. Frequently Asked Questions About EAN-8

Can EAN-8 be used for export products?

Yes. As long as the EAN-8 barcode is issued by GS1 and follows international standards, it is fully accepted for global export.

How can I verify if an EAN-8 code is genuine?

You can verify it by:

Scanning the code with a barcode-checking app (e.g., iCheck).
Looking it up via GS1's database or the manufacturer’s official website.

Can EAN-8 be combined with a QR code?

Absolutely. On product packaging, you can print both a QR code (for additional digital information) and an EAN-8 barcode (for retail and logistics systems).

Learn more: Generate free barcodes with Dorabot

Conclusion

EAN-8 barcodes are not only an ideal solution for products with small packaging—they’re also a powerful asset for businesses looking to enhance operational efficiency, streamline sales processes, and meet global retail standards.

Whether you're a business seeking officially registered codes for export, or simply need internal barcodes for inventory tracking, EAN-8 offers a flexible, easy-to-integrate, and highly effective solution.

Don’t forget to take advantage of free tools like Excel or iCheckQR to generate your EAN-8 barcodes quickly—and get your products one step closer to market success.