What is Barcode Generator UPC?

A UPC-A barcode generator that creates standard 12-digit product barcodes used in retail stores worldwide. Enter your UPC number and download a scannable barcode image.

UPC-A is the 12-digit code printed on practically every consumer good sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The first 6 digits identify the company that bought the prefix from GS1 US, the next 5 identify the specific product, and the 12th digit is a checksum the cash register verifies on every scan. UPC-E is its compressed form for narrow packaging.

How to use

1. Enter a valid 12-digit UPC-A number (or 11 digits and the check digit will be calculated automatically).
2. Preview the generated barcode and adjust display options like size and whether to show the number below the bars.
3. Download the barcode as a PNG, SVG, or print-ready PDF for product packaging and inventory labels — or switch the format to EAN-13 for European retailers.

When to use

• Preparing product labels for shelves at Walmart, Target, Kroger or similar US retailers.
• Reprinting a damaged UPC label on a returned item without contacting GS1 again.
• Generating a UPC-E version of an existing UPC-A for a slim package like a candy bar or gum pack.

Result

A small business owner creating product labels enters their assigned UPC number 012345678901 and downloads a high-resolution SVG barcode to send to their packaging printer.

FAQ

What is the difference between UPC-A and EAN-13?

UPC-A is 12 digits, EAN-13 is 13. A modern scanner reads both because a UPC-A is mathematically equal to an EAN-13 with a leading zero. So a US-issued UPC works in European stores, and most European retailers will pad the code to 13 digits in their database.

Can I make up my own UPC numbers if I only sell on Amazon?

Amazon requires legitimate, GS1-registered prefixes for new listings. A made-up number may pass image generation but will fail Amazon's GS1 verification, freeze your listing, and create duplicate-listing problems if the digits collide with someone else's real UPC.

When should I switch from UPC-A to UPC-E?

Use UPC-E only when the package width is too small for the standard UPC-A footprint (about 37 mm at 100 %). UPC-E suppresses runs of zeros to encode the same 12 digits in a 6-digit-wide image. Not every UPC-A converts — the original number must contain enough zeros.

What does the small number on the left edge of the UPC code mean?

That digit is the number system character, the first digit of the 12-digit UPC. 0 and 1 cover most regular retail products, 2 is reserved for variable-weight items like meat at the deli counter, 3 is for pharmaceuticals, and 5 is reserved for coupons.

Will a UPC barcode scan through clear plastic shrink wrap?

Usually yes, as long as the wrap is not heavily wrinkled over the bars. The worst-case is matte shrink film, which can scatter the laser beam. If you see repeated misreads at the till, print the code on a label and stick it directly on the carton instead of behind the wrap.

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