What is the difference between a GS1 GTIN™, a barcode, an EAN and a UPC?

Modified on Fri, 30 Aug at 1:31 PM

A GS1 GTIN™ is a unique, global, verifiable product identifier issued by GS1 used to uniquely distinguish your products. It's the number found under a product barcode's black and white lines.


GS1 GTINs™ vary in length depending on the type of product. Some GS1 GTIN™ formats are more common in some countries.
Here are the different GS1 GTIN™ formats you might encounter. Note that all formats of GS1 GTIN™ are usually accepted by all marketplaces and retailers around the world:
  • GTIN-12 is also called UPC. It's a 12-digit number mostly used in North America
  • GTIN-13 is also called EAN or JAN. It's a 13-digit number mostly used in Europe and rest of the world.
  • GTIN-14 is a 14-digit number used for cases and packaging
  • GTIN-8 is an 8-digit number used for smaller-sized items.
  • ISBN is a 13-digit number used for books.
  • ISSN is a 13-digit number used for “serial publications" like newspapers or magazines.
 
Interested in learning more? Watch the YouTube video from GS1 'What's the difference between GTIN™, EAN, UPC and barcode numbers?': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRsiVT-ckjI, or the YouTube video from Amazon:https://youtu.be/l48wTLrtNWM.

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