What is the check digit?

The last digit is calculated from the others. Scanners use it to catch a misread, and if it does not match they reject the scan entirely rather than reporting the wrong number.

When would I use EAN-8 instead of EAN-13?

Only when the pack is genuinely too small for a full EAN-13. The numbers are allocated sparingly for that reason, so it is not a free choice.

Why will my printed barcode not scan?

Usually size or the margin. Print from the SVG at its intended size, keep the clear space either side, and use black on white rather than a colour.

EAN-8 Barcode Generator

The short barcode, for packs too small for EAN-13.

Digits

Spaces and hyphens are ignored. Paste straight off a label.

Print the digits belowYes

Bar height60px

The short barcode, for packs too small for EAN-13.

How to use it

Enter seven digits. The last digit is the check digit and is worked out for you. Paste eight and it is verified instead.
Read the line under the code. It says whether the check digit was calculated or verified. If it does not match, the code is refused rather than drawn.
Download the SVG. Print it at the size you need. Scaling a bitmap barcode up blurs the bars and scanners give up.

When you would use this

EAN-8 is the short barcode used on packs with no room for a full EAN-13: single sweets, small cosmetics, cigarette packets. Eight digits rather than thirteen, with the last worked out from the other seven in exactly the same way. Because the numbers are scarce, they are allocated case by case rather than issued in blocks, so this is not a format to choose simply because it looks tidier. Structurally it is simpler than EAN-13: there is no parity trick encoding a hidden first digit, both halves use the straightforward character sets, and the symbol is 67 modules wide instead of 95. The check digit still has to be right, and a wrong one still produces a label that prints perfectly and never scans.

Questions

What is the check digit?: The last digit is calculated from the others. Scanners use it to catch a misread, and if it does not match they reject the scan entirely rather than reporting the wrong number.
When would I use EAN-8 instead of EAN-13?: Only when the pack is genuinely too small for a full EAN-13. The numbers are allocated sparingly for that reason, so it is not a free choice.
Why will my printed barcode not scan?: Usually size or the margin. Print from the SVG at its intended size, keep the clear space either side, and use black on white rather than a colour.