How to Size a Retail Barcode
Pick the barcode type
EAN-13 and UPC-A are the standard retail barcodes; EAN-8 and UPC-E are shorter versions for small packages.
Choose the size
Pick a magnification, or enter the space on your label to get the largest barcode that fits.
Keep the quiet zones clear
Leave the blank margins on both sides free of text, graphics and the label edge.
Standard Barcode Sizes
EAN and UPC barcodes are sized from one number, the X-dimension: the width of the narrowest bar. At 100% magnification it is 0.330 mm (about 13 mil), and every other measurement scales with it. These are the nominal sizes in the GS1 General Specifications:
| Barcode | Width with quiet zones | Bar height | Quiet zones (left / right) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 37.29 mm (1.468 in) | 22.85 mm (0.900 in) | 11X / 7X |
| UPC-A | 37.29 mm (1.468 in) | 22.85 mm (0.900 in) | 9X / 9X |
| EAN-8 | 26.73 mm (1.052 in) | 18.23 mm (0.718 in) | 7X / 7X |
| UPC-E | 22.11 mm (0.870 in) | 22.85 mm (0.900 in) | 9X / 7X |
X = one module (0.330 mm at 100%). The bar height doesn't include the digits printed underneath; with them, an EAN-13 or UPC-A at 100% is about 25.93 mm (1.02 in) tall.
Magnification and the 80–200% Range
For barcodes scanned at retail checkouts, GS1 allows magnifications from 80% to 200% of the nominal size. Width and height scale together:
X-dimension = 0.330 mm × magnification
Width = modules × X-dimension
Bar height = nominal bar height × magnification
| Magnification | X-dimension | Width with quiet zones | Bar height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80% (minimum) | 0.264 mm (10.4 mil) | 29.83 mm (1.174 in) | 18.28 mm (0.720 in) |
| 90% | 0.297 mm (11.7 mil) | 33.56 mm (1.321 in) | 20.57 mm (0.810 in) |
| 100% (nominal) | 0.330 mm (13.0 mil) | 37.29 mm (1.468 in) | 22.85 mm (0.900 in) |
| 150% | 0.495 mm (19.5 mil) | 55.94 mm (2.202 in) | 34.28 mm (1.349 in) |
| 200% (maximum) | 0.660 mm (26.0 mil) | 74.58 mm (2.936 in) | 45.70 mm (1.799 in) |
Smaller symbols are harder to print well, so use 100% or more when the label has room. Barcodes on shipping cases follow different rules with larger minimums.
Quiet Zones and Bar Height
The quiet zones are the blank margins before the first bar and after the last one. A scanner needs them to find where the barcode starts and ends, so they are part of the barcode's size. Keep text, graphics, folds and the edge of the label out of them.
Don't squash a barcode by reducing only its height. GS1 allows a shorter bar height (called truncation) only when a package is too small for the full symbol, because short barcodes are harder to scan from different angles. If space is tight, reduce the magnification instead, which keeps the proportions.
Use the “Fit the space I have” option to find the largest barcode that fits your label while keeping its proportions and quiet zones.
Printing Barcodes on Labels
- Print the bars in black or another dark colour on a white or light background. Most scanners use red light, so red bars look the same as the background and can't be read.
- Keep the barcode as vector artwork (SVG, PDF or EPS) so the bar edges stay sharp. Don't stretch it in only one direction.
- On thermal and other label printers, bars are made of whole printer dots. The results show how many dots one module gets at your printer's resolution and the nearest whole-dot sizes.
- On round containers, turn the barcode so the bars run around the container (horizontal bars, sometimes called “ladder” orientation) if it would otherwise curve out of view.
- If your print shop or retailer asks for it, a barcode verifier can grade printed barcodes against ISO/IEC 15416.
Valid EAN and UPC numbers for retail come from GS1 through a company prefix; this calculator works out sizes only. For QR codes, use the QR Code Print Size Calculator.