Mercantads
    Free tool · Google Merchant Center

    GTIN Checker

    Validate barcodes one at a time or in bulk, see which GTIN type each one is, and calculate a missing check digit.

    • 100% free
    • No sign-up
    • Runs in your browser

    Spaces and dashes are ignored.

    How do I check if a GTIN or UPC barcode is valid?

    A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is the number behind a product barcode, assigned through GS1. It comes in four lengths:

    TypeDigitsCommon name
    GTIN-88EAN-8, used on small packages
    GTIN-1212UPC-A, standard in the US and Canada
    GTIN-1313EAN-13 and JAN; also ISBN-13 for books
    GTIN-1414ITF-14, used for cases and multipacks

    Google Merchant Center accepts GTINs of 8, 12, 13 or 14 digits. Spaces and dashes are ignored. UPC-E (the 8-digit compressed UPC) should be converted to its 12-digit UPC-A form, and ISBN-10 should be converted to ISBN-13.

    When to use the gtin / upc checker

    Best for

    • Cleaning GTINs before a feed upload
    • Fixing GTIN disapprovals in Merchant Center
    • Spotting leading zeros dropped by spreadsheets

    Not the right pick for

    • Products with no manufacturer GTIN — leave it blank and use brand and MPN
    • Checking a whole feed — use the Merchant Center feed checker

    How it works

    1. 1

      Choose a mode

      Pick single, calculate or bulk.

    2. 2

      Paste your codes

      Enter one code or a column of codes, one per line.

    3. 3

      Read the results

      See whether each code is valid and which GTIN type it is.

    4. 4

      Fix the source data

      Correct invalid codes in your store or feed before uploading.

    How the check digit works

    The last digit of every GTIN is a check digit calculated from the others. Starting from the digit just left of the check digit and moving left, digits are alternately multiplied by 3 and 1. The products are summed, and the check digit is whatever number brings that sum up to the next multiple of 10. A single mistyped digit or two swapped neighbors almost always produce the wrong check digit, which is why validating it catches most typos.

    How to use the GTIN checker

    1. Single mode: paste one code. The tool tells you whether the check digit is valid and which GTIN type it is.
    2. Calculate mode: enter a code without its final digit, and the tool returns the correct check digit.
    3. Bulk mode: paste a column of codes, one per line, straight from a spreadsheet. Each row is validated and labeled, so you can copy the results back.

    What the results mean

    • Valid means the length is supported and the check digit matches. It confirms the number is well formed, not that it was assigned to your specific product.
    • Invalid check digit usually means a typo, a missing digit, or a number that was never a real GTIN.
    • Unsupported length often means leading zeros were stripped by a spreadsheet, or an internal SKU ended up in the GTIN column.

    Google's GTIN rules for Merchant Center

    Google's product data specification adds requirements beyond a valid check digit:

    • Submit the manufacturer's GTIN for any product that has one, ideally together with the MPN.
    • Never guess or invent a GTIN. If the product has no manufacturer GTIN, such as private-label, store-brand or custom-made items, leave it blank and use brand and mpn.
    • One GTIN per variant. Each size and color needs its own code. Do not reuse the same GTIN across different variants.
    • Bundles and multipacks: for a manufacturer-created bundle, use the bundle's GTIN; for a bundle you created yourself, use the GTIN of the main product.
    • Restricted and coupon ranges are not accepted, including restricted-circulation prefixes (02, 04 and 2) and coupon prefixes (05, 98 and 99). These are for in-store or internal use.
    • Used and refurbished items keep the original manufacturer GTIN, with condition set accordingly.

    Common mistakes

    • Excel dropping leading zeros. A UPC like 012345678905 becomes 12345678905. Format the column as text before pasting codes.
    • Scientific notation. Spreadsheets may turn long codes into values like 1.23E+12. Again, format as text.
    • Buying unofficial barcodes. Resold codes may not match your brand in GS1's database. Google can identify mismatches, so register codes through GS1 for your own brand.
    • Using one GTIN for every variant of a product.

    Tips

    • Validate the GTIN column before every feed upload, or check the entire feed with the Merchant Center feed checker.
    • Accurate GTINs help Google match your products to the right searches. Combine them with strong titles from the product title builder.
    • If GTIN-related disapprovals keep returning after you fix the data, our Merchant Center service can audit the feed.

    Free tool vs having us fix your feed

    Free tool (do it yourself)Mercantads does it for you
    Find problemsRun free checks on each feed exportOngoing feed monitoring and fixes
    Fix disapprovalsEdit products one by oneFeed rules and supplemental feeds fix them in bulk
    SuspensionsResearch policies and request reviews yourselfWe audit your store and handle the review
    ResultsApproved productsApproved products in campaigns built to sell
    Talk to us
    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    UPC and EAN are specific GTIN formats. A UPC is a 12-digit GTIN-12, and an EAN is usually a 13-digit GTIN-13. GTIN is the umbrella term.

    Padding with leading zeros does not change the check digit, so a padded code still validates. Google accepts the standard 12- or 13-digit forms, so submit the code as printed on the package.

    No. It means the number is well formed. Only the brand owner's GS1 registration confirms the code belongs to that product.

    Leave the GTIN field empty and submit brand and mpn. Google does not require a GTIN for products that were never assigned one.

    More free tools

    All tools →
    Merchant Center feed checkerUpload your product feed and find errors before Google does.Product title builderBuild Google Shopping titles in the recommended order.Product image checkerCheck image size and format against Shopping requirements.Misrepresentation checklistScore your store on the trust signals Google checks.Ad copy checkerCheck headline and description limits with a live ad preview.Negative keyword generatorBuild a negative keyword list for your store in seconds.

    GTIN Checker

    Validate barcodes one at a time or in bulk, see which GTIN type each one is, and calculate a missing check digit.

    Use the gtin / upc checkerGet expert help