A GTIN barcode validator verifies the check digit of any GS1 barcode number — UPC-A (12 digits), EAN-8 (8 digits), EAN-13 (13 digits), or GTIN-14 (14 digits). Auto-detects the format, calculates the expected check digit, and shows a GS1 country prefix lookup for EAN-13 codes.
Enter digits only. Supported: EAN-8 (8), UPC-A (12), EAN-13 (13), GTIN-14 (14).
Validation Checks
Barcode Details
Check Digit Calculator
Enter a barcode without its last digit to calculate what the check digit should be.
GS1 Prefix Reference (EAN-13)
| Prefix | GS1 Member Organization |
|---|---|
| 000–019, 030–039, 060–139 | GS1 US |
| 300–379 | GS1 France |
| 400–440 | GS1 Germany |
| 450–459, 490–499 | GS1 Japan |
| 471 | GS1 Taiwan |
| 489 | GS1 Hong Kong |
| 500–509 | GS1 UK |
| 520–521 | GS1 Greece |
| 540–549 | GS1 Belgium/Luxembourg |
| 560 | GS1 Portugal |
| 569 | GS1 Iceland |
| 570–579 | GS1 Denmark |
| 590 | GS1 Poland |
| 599 | GS1 Hungary |
| 600–601 | GS1 South Africa |
| 690–695 | GS1 China |
| 700–709 | GS1 Norway |
| 729 | GS1 Israel |
| 730–739 | GS1 Sweden |
| 750 | GS1 Mexico |
| 754–755 | GS1 Canada |
| 759 | GS1 Venezuela |
| 760–769 | GS1 Switzerland |
| 800–839 | GS1 Italy |
| 840–849 | GS1 Spain |
| 850 | GS1 Cuba |
| 858 | GS1 Slovakia |
| 859 | GS1 Czech Republic |
| 860 | GS1 Serbia |
| 868–869 | GS1 Turkey |
| 880 | GS1 South Korea |
| 885 | GS1 Thailand |
| 888 | GS1 Singapore |
| 890 | GS1 India |
| 899 | GS1 Indonesia |
| 930–939 | GS1 Australia |
| 940–949 | GS1 New Zealand |
| 955 | GS1 Malaysia |
| 978–979 | ISBN (books) |
How to Validate a GTIN Barcode Number
A GTIN barcode validator verifies the check digit of any product barcode. The GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) family includes UPC-A (North America, 12 digits), EAN-8 (small products, 8 digits), EAN-13 (international, 13 digits), and GTIN-14 (cases/pallets, 14 digits). All formats use the same check digit algorithm defined by GS1.
Finding the Barcode Number
Product barcodes are printed directly on packaging. The human-readable number appears below the barcode. For UPC-A codes (12 digits), the number is usually split as a single leading digit, two groups of 5 digits, and one check digit. For EAN-13 codes (13 digits), the number includes the full 13 digits. Scan the barcode with a phone scanner app to get the digits if they are too small to read.
How the Check Digit is Calculated
The GS1 check digit uses alternating weights of 1 and 3. Starting from the leftmost digit and working right (for the non-check digits), multiply each digit by alternating 1 and 3. For EAN-13, the pattern is 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3, 1, 3 for the first 12 digits. Sum all weighted values, find the remainder when divided by 10, and subtract from 10 (with mod 10 to handle the result 10 case). The result is the check digit. This tool shows you the step-by-step breakdown.
Understanding GS1 Prefixes
The first 3 digits of an EAN-13 barcode are the GS1 prefix. This identifies the GS1 member organization that issued the company prefix — not necessarily the country where the product was manufactured. For example, prefixes 000-019 are issued by GS1 US, and a product made in China but sold in the US could have a 0xx prefix. Books (ISBN-13) always use prefix 978 or 979 regardless of language or country of publication.
FAQ
What is a GTIN and what formats does it include?
GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is a family of barcode identifier formats standardized by GS1. It includes: GTIN-8 (EAN-8, 8 digits, used on small products), GTIN-12 (UPC-A, 12 digits, most common in North America), GTIN-13 (EAN-13, 13 digits, most common internationally), and GTIN-14 (14 digits, used in logistics and shipping cases). All formats use the same check digit algorithm.
How does the GTIN check digit work?
The GTIN check digit is calculated by alternating weights of 1 and 3 from left to right, starting from the rightmost non-check digit position. Sum all weighted digits, then the check digit is (10 minus the sum modulo 10) modulo 10. For a 13-digit EAN-13 like 9780306406157, weights alternate 1-3 from left, sum gives 43, so check digit = (10 - 43%10) % 10 = 7. This same formula applies to all GTIN formats.
What do the first digits of an EAN-13 indicate?
The first 2-3 digits of an EAN-13 are the GS1 prefix, indicating the GS1 member organization that issued the company prefix (not necessarily the manufacturing country). Common prefixes: 000-019 and 030-039 = USA/Canada, 050-059 = coupons, 300-379 = France, 400-440 = Germany, 450-459 and 490-499 = Japan, 540-549 = Belgium/Luxembourg, 690-695 = China, 840-849 = Spain, 890 = India.
Why does my product barcode fail validation?
Common reasons: (1) Misread or mistyped digit — if a scanner misreads one digit the check will fail; (2) Wrong digit count — entered 12 instead of 13 digits (or vice versa); (3) Internal company code — some businesses use non-GS1 internal product codes without a check digit. If you are scanning a product, try scanning again or manually count the digits to ensure you have the right number.
Can I use this to validate ISBN numbers?
ISBN-13 numbers (starting with 978 or 979) are a subset of EAN-13 and can be validated with this tool. However, ISBN-10 uses a different check digit algorithm (mod 11) and cannot be validated here — use the dedicated ISBN Validator instead.
Is this tool free?
Yes, completely free. No account or signup required. All validation runs in your browser.