GTIN & retail standards
GTIN-8 vs GTIN-12 vs GTIN-13 vs GTIN-14 Explained
GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14 are all Global Trade Item Numbers, but the length is tied to how the identifier was allocated and the type of trade item or packaging it identifies. They are not interchangeable strings that should be shortened or extended casually.
Updated September 14, 2026
GTIN-8 is an 8-digit identifier used for very small trade items, GTIN-12 is the 12-digit form commonly called UPC, GTIN-13 is the 13-digit form commonly called EAN, and GTIN-14 is a 14-digit identifier commonly used for higher packaging levels such as cases. A shorter GTIN may be zero-padded to 14 digits in systems that require a uniform database field, but that does not turn it into a newly assigned GTIN-14.
GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14 at a glance
| GTIN type | Digits | Common name / use | Typical BarcodeBatch starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTIN-8 | 8 | Small trade items | EAN-8 |
| GTIN-12 | 12 | UPC; common in North America | UPC-A |
| GTIN-13 | 13 | EAN/JAN; common globally | EAN-13 |
| GTIN-14 | 14 | Cases / packaging levels | General generator; verify required carrier |
The GTIN is the identifier; the barcode is the carrier
GS1 separates the identifier from the symbol that carries it. GTIN-13 is commonly encoded in EAN-13, GTIN-12 in UPC-A and GTIN-8 in EAN-8. Other GS1 carriers can encode GTINs in different supply-chain environments.
That distinction matters because choosing a barcode image does not allocate a GTIN. Start with the valid identifier for the trade item, then use the carrier required by the scanner, retailer or trading partner.
Why some systems show every GTIN as 14 digits
GS1 systems sometimes represent shorter GTINs in a 14-digit database field by adding leading zeroes. For example, a GTIN-13 can be right-justified and stored with one leading zero. GS1 explicitly notes that GTIN-8, GTIN-12, GTIN-13 and GTIN-14 remain unique and cannot be confused when handled correctly.
Zero-padding for a data format is not the same as assigning a new packaging-level GTIN-14. Keep the original identity and follow the syntax required by the receiving system.
Which GTIN length should you use?
Do not choose a GTIN length because it looks convenient. Use the identifier allocated for the trade item and packaging level. GTIN-8 is reserved for constrained small-item use, GTIN-12 and GTIN-13 are common consumer-unit identifiers, and GTIN-14 is commonly used for cases and packaging levels that are not retail point-of-sale consumer units.
- Do not truncate GTIN-13 to create GTIN-8.
- Do not add a digit to invent a GTIN-14 for a case.
- Do not treat zero-padding in a database as a new GTIN assignment.
- Confirm retailer, marketplace or trading-partner requirements before production printing.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is GTIN-12 the same as UPC?
GTIN-12 is commonly called UPC. The retail barcode carrier normally used for a 12-digit GTIN is UPC-A.
Is GTIN-13 the same as EAN?
GTIN-13 is commonly called EAN or JAN. EAN-13 is the familiar retail barcode carrier for a 13-digit GTIN.
Can I turn a GTIN-13 into a GTIN-14 by adding a zero?
A leading zero may be used when a system requires a uniform 14-digit representation, but that does not create a new packaging-level GTIN-14 assignment.
Can GTIN-14 be used at retail checkout?
GS1 retail guidance distinguishes GTIN-14 from GTIN-8, GTIN-12 and GTIN-13 used at retail POS. Follow the applicable retail and trading-partner requirement.
Sources & standards
Technical claims in this guide are checked against primary or official documentation where available.