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Check Digit Calculator

Check Digit Generator

A check digit is the result of a mathematical calculation performed on the preceding digits in the number.  It is used during scanning to verify that the barcode was correctly read.

This form generates complete barcodes from your details and displays them in a format that can be Copy and Pasted into a spreadsheet.  You can process several types of bar code at the same time.

Important: Your products should only carry numbers that are allocated to your company.

EAN-8 and EAN-13 barcodes are used for retail applications.   EAN-14 and UPC-A are used for trade and when exporting to the USA.   SSCC barcodes are used for logistics.

EAN-8
A
B
To
C

To calculate an EAN-8 number:
  • In box A, enter a 2 digit country code* for the GS1 organisation that allocated the number.
  • Enter 5 digits in box B. These digits are allocated by EAN.
  • Box C enables you to calculate a range of numbers by typing in another 5 digits in the second box.
* If the country code is 3 digits, enter the first two digits in the first box and the 3rd digit at the start of the next box.
EAN-13

To calculate the check digit for an EAN-13 number, twelve digits need to be entered into the boxes below:
  • Box D should contain 2 digits
  • Box E should contain 7 digits
  • Box F should contain 3 digits
D
E
F
To
G

The following table represents how the numbers should be entered in to these boxes. ‘M’ represents a digit in the membership prefix, allocated by a GS1 organisation.  ‘I’ represents a digit in the EAN-13 that is to be allocated by the brand owner.

D E F
Ten digit prefix MM MMMMMMM MII
Nine digit prefix MM MMMMMMM III
Eight digit prefix MM MMMMMMI III
Seven digit prefix MM MMMMMII III
Example 94 2100000 001

To calculate a check digit for a single EAN-13 number, leave box G blank and click on ‘Calculate’.

If you would like to calculate check digits for a number of consecutive EAN-13 numbers, then you should use box G to indicate the range of numbers.  Box G should contain 3 digits to calculate multiple check digits.
UPC-A

To calculate the check digit for a UPC-A number
  • Enter eleven-digits into box H below.
  • Leave Box J blank and click ‘Calculate’
H
To
J

To calculate the check digit for several consecutive UPC-A numbers enter eleven digits into box J before clicking ‘Calculate’.
EAN-14

To calculate the check digit for an EAN-14, thirteen digits need to be entered into the boxes below as follows.
  • Box K should contain 1 digits
  • Box L should contain 2 digits
  • Box N should contain 7 digits
  • Box P should contain 3 digits
K
L
N
P
To
Q

The following table represents how the numbers should be entered in to these boxes.  ‘Z’ represents the indicator digit.  ‘M’ represents a digit in the membership prefix, allocated by a GS1 organisation.  ‘I’ represents a digit in the EAN-14 that is to be allocated by the brand owner.

K L N P
Ten digit prefix Z MM MMMMMMM MII
Nine digit prefix Z MM MMMMMMM III
Eight digit prefix Z MM MMMMMMI III
Seven digit prefix Z MM MMMMMII III
Example 1 94 2100000 001

To calculate a check digit for a single EAN-14 number, leave box Q blank and click on ‘Calculate’.
If you would like to calculate check digits for a number of consecutive EAN-14 numbers, then you should use box Q to indicate the range of numbers. Box Q should contain 3 digits to calculate multiple check digits.
SSCC

To calculate the check digit of an SSCC number, 17 digits need to entered:
  • Box R should contain 1 digits
  • Box T should contain 2 digits
  • Box U should contain 7 digits
  • Box V should contain 7 digits
R
T
U
V
To
W

The following table represents how the numbers should be entered in to these boxes.  ‘E’ represents the extension digit.  ‘M’ represents a digit in the membership prefix, allocated by a GS1 organisation.  ‘S’ represents a digit in the serial number within the SSCC.

R T U V
Ten digit prefix E MM MMMMMMM MSSSSSS
Nine digit prefix E MM MMMMMMM SSSSSSS
Eight digit prefix E MM MMMMMMS SSSSSSS
Seven digit prefix E MM MMMMMSS SSSSSSS
Example 1 94 2100000 0000001

For a check digit for an individual SSCC number leave box W blank and click on ‘Calculate’.
If you would like to calculate check digits for a range of consecutive SSCC numbers, then you should indicate the end of the range by entering seven digits in box W.

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