EAN / UPC SC Sizes

The dimensions of EAN 13 barcodes are standardized, this also applies to related and derived symbologies like EAN 8, UPC-A / UPC-E and ISBN / ISSN. The module width (i.e. the width of a narrow bar) and height are only allowed to vary within certain limits. The default size is called SC 2, setting a module width of 0.33mm and a module height of 22.85mm. Taking the human readable text under the barcode into account, this results in an EAN 13 symbol that is roughly 26mm high and 37mm wide:

EAN 13 / UPC-A SC 2 Size and Dimensions

It is permitted to vary the width down to a minimum size of 80% (SC 0) and a maximum size of 200% (SC 9). Also allowed are intermediate sizes, e.g. 140%.

Likewise, it is permitted to reduce the height to some degree, this is also known as height truncation. The minimum height of an EAN / UPC symbol should not go below 10-15mm.

Table of EAN / UPC SC sizes (SC 0 - SC 9). All dimensions in millimeters:

Size
 		 Module width
 		 Module height
 
SC 0 (80%) 0.264 18.28
SC 1 (90%) 0.297 20.56
SC 2 (100%) 0.330 22.85
SC 3 (110%) 0.363 25.13
SC 4 (120%) 0.396 27.42
SC 5 (135%) 0.445 30.85
SC 6 (150%) 0.495 24.27
SC 7 (165%) 0.544 37.70
SC 8 (185%) 0.610 42.27
SC 9 (200%) 0.660 45.70

Creating EAN / UPC barcodes, SC sizes

All our applications support direct selection of EAN SC sizes and height truncation; the video shows our barcode extension for Adobe Illustrator:

The Softmatic barcode plug-ins and extensions for InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop are available from the Softmatic online store.

EAN Batch, Bulk Generator

For batch creation of compliant EAN 8 / EAN 13 and the related ISBN codes, use Softmatic BarcodeFactory. The software will create thousands of EAN symbols in seconds, with data coming from the built-in serial number generator, the clipboard or via import from Excel, Numbers or CSV text files. Ideal for mass creation of artwork for packaging, book or magazine covers etc.: