Last updated: March 2026
What Is a UPC Barcode?
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is the standard barcode system used across North American retail. First used in 1974, UPC barcodes appear on virtually every consumer product sold in the US and Canada. The UPC-A format encodes 12 digits as a pattern of bars that scanners read at checkout.
Each UPC is globally unique, identifying both the manufacturer and the specific product. The codes are managed by GS1, a global standards organization. When a retailer scans a UPC at checkout, it looks up the product in their database to retrieve the price, name, and other details.
How to Get a UPC Code for Your Product
To get official UPC codes: join GS1 US at gs1us.org. They assign a company prefix (the first 6-10 digits of your UPC), and you assign item numbers for each product. Annual fees start at $250 for up to 10 barcodes. Once you have your numbers, use this generator to create the barcode images for your labels.
For Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces, GS1-issued UPC codes are strongly recommended. Some marketplaces accept GTIN exemptions for handmade or private-label products, but having proper UPC codes makes listing and fulfillment much smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UPC-A barcode?
UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is the standard 12-digit barcode used on retail products in the US and Canada. It consists of a number system digit, a manufacturer code (assigned by GS1), an item number (assigned by the manufacturer), and a check digit calculated from the other 11 digits.
How many digits is a UPC code?
UPC-A has exactly 12 digits. The first digit indicates the product type (0 for regular items, 2 for variable-weight items, 3 for drugs/health products). Digits 2-6 are the manufacturer code, 7-11 are the item number, and digit 12 is the check digit.
How is the UPC check digit calculated?
Add all odd-position digits × 3, add all even-position digits × 1, sum them, take modulo 10, then subtract from 10 (if the result is 10, use 0). This calculator auto-generates the check digit when you enter 11 digits, or validates it when you enter all 12.
Do I need to register my UPC codes?
For retail products sold in stores or on Amazon/eBay: yes. You need to join GS1 US (gs1us.org) to get an official company prefix and assign UPC codes to your products. Costs start at $250/year. For internal use only (inventory tracking, warehouses), registration isn't required.
Can I reuse a UPC code on a different product?
No. Each unique product must have its own UPC. Different sizes, colors, or flavors of the same product each need separate UPC codes. This is essential for inventory tracking, pricing, and sales data. Reusing codes causes chaos in retail systems.
What's the difference between UPC-A and UPC-E?
UPC-A is the full 12-digit format. UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version used on small packages where space is limited. UPC-E suppresses zeros in the manufacturer code to shorten the barcode. Both encode the same information, and UPC-E can be expanded back to UPC-A.