GTIN / UPC / EAN education
GTIN vs UPC vs EAN: What’s the Difference?
GTIN, UPC and EAN are often used as if they were three competing codes. In practice, GTIN is the broader product-identification concept, while UPC and EAN are common names associated with specific GTIN lengths and retail barcode carriers.
Updated September 13, 2026
GTIN means Global Trade Item Number and is the global identifier used to distinguish trade items. GTIN-12 is commonly called UPC and is represented at retail by UPC-A; GTIN-13 is commonly called EAN and is represented by EAN-13. GTIN also includes other lengths such as GTIN-8 and GTIN-14. The barcode image is the data carrier that makes the identifier scannable.
The relationship between GTIN, UPC and EAN
GS1 describes GTIN as the identifier used to uniquely identify trade items that can be priced, ordered or invoiced in a supply chain. The identifier can have different lengths depending on the application.
| Term | What it refers to | Common retail carrier |
|---|---|---|
| GTIN-8 | 8-digit Global Trade Item Number | EAN-8 |
| GTIN-12 / UPC | 12-digit Global Trade Item Number | UPC-A |
| GTIN-13 / EAN | 13-digit Global Trade Item Number | EAN-13 |
| GTIN-14 | 14-digit Global Trade Item Number commonly used for higher packaging levels | Carrier depends on application; not EAN-13/UPC-A retail POS |
GTIN is the identifier, not one specific barcode drawing
A GTIN is product identity data. GS1 can represent GTINs in different barcode carriers depending on where the item is scanned. That is why “GTIN” and “barcode” should not be treated as exact synonyms even though people often use the words casually.
The same principle matters in software: a catalog field may store a GTIN value, while a label-generation step creates the visual symbol required by the scanner.
UPC usually means the 12-digit GTIN used with UPC-A
GS1 describes GTIN-12 as commonly called UPC and notes that it is widely used in North America. For a product already assigned a GTIN-12, UPC-A is the familiar 12-digit retail symbol.
EAN usually means the 13-digit GTIN used with EAN-13
GS1 describes GTIN-13 as commonly called EAN or JAN and widely used outside North America. EAN-13 is the corresponding 13-digit retail barcode carrier.
Why marketplaces ask for “GTIN” even when you have a UPC or EAN
Marketplace forms often use GTIN as the umbrella field name. If your product has a properly assigned UPC/GTIN-12 or EAN/GTIN-13, that value is already a type of GTIN; you do not need to invent a separate third number merely because the field says GTIN.
Always follow the marketplace’s current field and exemption rules. Generating a barcode image does not allocate ownership of a GTIN.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a UPC a GTIN?
Yes. GS1 describes GTIN-12 as commonly called UPC. UPC-A is the common retail barcode carrier for that 12-digit GTIN.
Is an EAN a GTIN?
Yes. GS1 describes GTIN-13 as commonly called EAN or JAN. EAN-13 is the common retail barcode carrier for that 13-digit GTIN.
Is GTIN another barcode format I need to generate?
GTIN is the identifier family. The barcode carrier depends on the GTIN length and scanning application, such as UPC-A for GTIN-12 or EAN-13 for GTIN-13.
Does BarcodeBatch give me a new GTIN?
No. BarcodeBatch renders values you already have. It does not allocate, register or establish ownership of GS1 identifiers.
Sources & standards
Technical claims in this guide are checked against primary or official documentation where available.