GTIN, the generic term
GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is the generic term defined by GS1 to refer to any product identifier. EAN, UPC and ISBN are specific types of GTIN. This is the term you will see on Amazon.co.uk, eBay, Etsy.
The 4 official GTIN formats
- GTIN-8 (EAN-8) — 8 digits. For small packages where an EAN-13 code won’t fit.
- GTIN-12 (UPC-A) — 12 digits. The traditional format used in the US and Canada.
- GTIN-13 (EAN-13) — 13 digits. The European and international standard, and the most widely used.
- GTIN-14 (ITF-14) — 14 digits. Logistics code for boxes, pallets and groups of items.
EAN-13 vs UPC-A: compatibility
Good news: since 2005, EAN-13 and UPC-A have been fully interoperable. A 12-digit UPC-A is actually an EAN-13 with a leading zero. You can sell a product with an EAN-13 in France and the United States without making any changes.
Special cases
- ISBN (books): an EAN-13 code beginning with 978 or 979.
- ISSN (press): an EAN-13 starting with 977.
- QR Code GS1: encodes a GTIN into a 2D QR code, used in pharmacies and logistics.
Which format should I choose?
In 95% of cases (e-commerce, marketplaces, retail), the EAN-13 is the right solution. It is universally accepted, readable by all scanners worldwide and compatible with UPC. See our article on the structure of an EAN-13.