UPC vs. EAN barcodes: what's the difference?
A barcode is a number, not a description. It's issued through GS1, the global standards body, and a store's register — or a scanner app — uses it to look the product up.
The main formats
- UPC-A — 12 digits, standard in the U.S. and Canada.
- EAN-13 — 13 digits, used in most other countries.
- UPC-E and EAN-8 — shorter versions for small packages like gum or lip balm.
How they relate
A UPC-A code is an EAN-13 with a leading zero: a 0 followed by the 12 UPC digits identifies the same product. That's why Novaz finds a product whether you scan it or type 12 or 13 digits.
A common myth
The first digits of an EAN are a GS1 prefix showing which national GS1 office issued the code — not the country where the product was made.
FAQ
- Where do I find the barcode number?
- It's printed in digits under the bars. Type all of them, including the small digits at each end.
Scan it before you buy it
Novaz: Food & Cosmetic Scanner scores food and cosmetics from 0 to 100, shows why, and suggests better picks from the same shelf — no ads, no account.
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