EAN Check Digit Guide: How the Final Digit Is Worked Out
Understand the EAN weighting rule and how a single check digit catches typing mistakes.
What is the EAN Check Digit Calculator?
Enter the first 12 digits of an EAN and this tool calculates the 13th check digit using the standard EAN weighting, where alternate digits are multiplied by three. Enter all 13 digits instead and it checks whether the final digit matches the calculated one. Only digits are used, so spaces and dashes are ignored.
How to use it
- Type the 12 digits to complete, or all 13 digits to check.
- Click Calculate.
- Read the check digit, or whether the full EAN is valid.
Worked example
For the sample 590123412345, the tool reports Check digit: 7 and Full EAN: 5901234123457.
How is the EAN check digit calculated?
Starting from the left, digits in even positions are multiplied by three and the rest by one, the results are added, and the check digit is whatever brings that total up to the next multiple of ten.
Frequently asked questions
What is a check digit for?
It is a final digit worked out from the others, so a mistyped digit is likely to make the whole number fail the check and get caught.
Does a valid check digit mean the product is real?
No. It only means the digits are internally consistent; it says nothing about whether the product exists.