Barcode Size Guide: UPC, EAN and 2D Code Sizes for Printing
At its standard (100%) size, a UPC-A or EAN-13 barcode is 37.29 mm wide including its margins and 25.93 mm high, with a narrowest bar, the X-dimension, of 0.33 mm. GS1 allows these retail barcodes to be printed from 80% to 200% of that size, as long as the blank quiet zones at each side stay clear and the bars keep their full height.
What sets a barcode's size
Barcode size is set by the X-dimension, the width of the narrowest bar or space. Every other measurement scales with it. GS1 used to describe size as a magnification: 100% means an X-dimension of 0.33 mm, 80% means 0.264 mm and 200% means 0.66 mm.
Two other measurements matter as much as the width: the bar height and the quiet zone, the blank margin a scanner needs to find where the barcode starts and ends.
UPC-A and EAN-13 size at 80%, 100% and 200%
| Magnification | X-dimension | Width incl. margins | Bar height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80% (smallest allowed) | 0.264 mm | 29.83 mm | 18.28 mm |
| 100% (standard) | 0.330 mm | 37.29 mm | 22.85 mm |
| 200% (largest) | 0.660 mm | 74.58 mm | 45.70 mm |
The 25.93 mm total height at 100% includes the numbers printed under the bars. Make a correctly proportioned barcode with the UPC barcode generator, then scale it evenly in your design software.
EAN-8 size
EAN-8 is the short retail barcode for very small packs. At 100% it is 26.73 mm wide including margins and 21.31 mm high. Its bars are 18.23 mm high at the standard size and never less than 14.58 mm. The EAN-13 generator makes both EAN-13 and EAN-8.
Quiet zones for each retail barcode
| Barcode | Left quiet zone | Right quiet zone |
|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 11 × X-dimension | 7 × X-dimension |
| UPC-A | 9 × X-dimension | 9 × X-dimension |
| EAN-8 | 7 × X-dimension | 7 × X-dimension |
| UPC-E | 9 × X-dimension | 7 × X-dimension |
At 100%, 9 × 0.33 mm is about 3 mm of blank space on each side of a UPC-A. Keep printed text, colour blocks and the edge of the pack out of that space.
Barcodes on cartons and outer packaging
Barcodes on outer cases are scanned from further away, so GS1 asks for larger bars. For an EAN-13 on outer packaging, the X-dimension should be at least 0.495 mm, with 0.660 mm recommended. Cartons more often carry an ITF-14 barcode, which is printed larger still and is made for corrugated board.
Size of QR codes and Data Matrix codes
2D codes have no single standard size. Their size depends on how much data they hold and how far away they are scanned. A Data Matrix code grows from 10 × 10 to 144 × 144 modules as data is added, and a QR code from 21 × 21 to 177 × 177. Shorter data gives fewer, larger modules that scan more easily at the same print size. For links, keep the URL short before you paste it into the QR code generator.
Printing tips for the right size
- Download SVG and set the width in your design software; lock the aspect ratio.
- Print at 100% or Actual size; turn off Fit to page.
- Measure the printed barcode with a ruler against the table above.
- On low-resolution label printers, choose a size where each bar is a whole number of printer dots.
- Scan a test print before you order packaging.
For the full process from number to print, see how to make a barcode.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a UPC barcode?
At 100%, a UPC-A is 37.29 mm wide including margins and 25.93 mm high, with a narrowest bar of 0.33 mm.
What is the smallest UPC barcode allowed?
80% of the standard size: about 29.83 mm wide including margins, with a narrowest bar of 0.264 mm.
Can I make a UPC barcode shorter?
No, not for retail checkout. Cutting the bar height makes the barcode harder to scan; keep the full height for its magnification.
Are UPC-A and EAN-13 the same size?
Yes. Both are 37.29 mm wide including margins at 100%, though their quiet zones differ.
What size should a QR code be?
There is no single size. Keep the data short and test-scan at the distance people will use.