Hello,
I’m trying to generate an EAN 13 barcode with the following number: 8437018016987, in SVG format and medium size. When generating it, the barcode keeps changing the final 7 to a 3. I don’t know why, and it ends up like this: 8437018016983. What could be the cause and how can I fix it?
Thanks,
Carmen
@carmensv
This issue is reproduced at our end. Therefore, we have opened the following new ticket(s) in our internal issue tracking system and will deliver their fixes according to the terms mentioned in Free Support Policies.
Issue ID(s): BARCODEAPP-1104
Hello Carmen,
Thank you for reaching out!
The issue you’re experiencing is related to how the EAN-13 barcode system uses a check digit. The EAN-13 barcode is composed of 12 data digits followed by a 13th digit, which is a check digit automatically calculated based on the first 12 digits.
In your example:
8437018016987 – the last digit “7” is intended to be the check digit.
However, when a barcode generator calculates the correct check digit for the first 12 digits (843701801698), it finds that the correct check digit is actually 3, not 7. That’s why the barcode generator automatically changes the final digit from 7 to 3, producing:
8437018016983.
To generate a valid EAN-13 barcode, you only need to provide the first 12 digits (843701801698). The barcode generator will then calculate and append the correct check digit for you.
If you’re certain that “8437018016987” is the number you want, it’s likely that the original number has an incorrect check digit and would not scan correctly. You’ll need to verify that the base number (first 12 digits) is correct and then let the barcode generator handle the check digit automatically.
More about EAN-13 barcode symbology you can read in our documentation EAN-13|Documentation
Let us know if you need help generating the barcode — we’re happy to assist!