This free UPC barcode generator creates UPC-A and UPC-E barcodes for retail products, Amazon FBA, and Etsy listings. Download as SVG or PNG. No signup required.
The Universal Product Code (UPC) was standardized on June 26, 1974, when a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum became the first retail product scanned at checkout in a Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The system was developed by IBM engineer George Laurer following a GS1 (then called the Uniform Product Code Council) competition. Today GS1 governs UPC globally, assigning Company Prefixes to manufacturers that uniquely identify both the company and each of their products. A 12-digit UPC-A encodes a GS1 GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) using a modulo-10 check digit calculated from the preceding 11 digits. The check digit is not user-supplied — it is mathematically derived, which is why this generator auto-calculates it when you enter 11 digits.
A UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode is a 12-digit linear barcode printed on virtually every retail product sold in North America. Managed by the GS1 standards organization, UPC encodes a globally unique product identifier (GTIN) that point-of-sale scanners read at checkout to retrieve pricing, inventory, and product information from the retailer's database. The UPC-A format uses the full 12 digits and is the standard for most consumer products sold on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and independent retailers. UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version that suppresses leading zeros, designed specifically for items with small packaging such as cosmetics, candy bars, and lip balm tubes where a full-width UPC-A barcode would not physically fit. Both formats encode the same underlying product identification number and are recognized by every commercial barcode scanner and point-of-sale system in use today.
UPC barcodes are the backbone of retail inventory systems, and a UPC barcode generator is an essential tool for any seller listing products online or in stores. Every product sold in a physical or online store in the United States and Canada requires a UPC barcode. The system was introduced in 1974 and today covers billions of products worldwide.
The barcode itself consists of black and white bars representing the 12-digit number. The first digit is the number system prefix (0 or 1 for standard products), the next five digits identify the manufacturer, the following five identify the specific product, and the final digit is a check digit calculated from the preceding eleven.
UPC-A vs UPC-E: Which Format Do You Need?
UPC-A and UPC-E are both valid UPC barcode formats that encode the same product identification data, but they differ in physical size and digit count. UPC-A is the standard 12-digit format required by Amazon FBA, Walmart, Target, and every major North American retailer -- it should be your default choice for any new product listing. UPC-E compresses the barcode into 8 digits by suppressing zeros in the manufacturer and product code sections, producing a barcode roughly 40% narrower than UPC-A. Use UPC-E only when the product packaging is physically too small to accommodate a standard UPC-A barcode at minimum 80% magnification, such as individual candy pieces, lipstick tubes, or small pharmaceutical blister packs. Both formats are readable by all commercial barcode scanners and encode identical product identification data in the GS1 GTIN system. The UPC barcode generator above creates both UPC-A and UPC-E barcodes with automatic check digit calculation.
Feature
UPC-A
UPC-E
Digits
12
8 (compressed from 12)
Use case
Standard retail products
Small packages, coupons
Required by
Amazon FBA, all US/Canada retailers
Optional -- space-constrained items
Width
~37mm at 100% magnification
~22mm at 100% magnification
Scanners
All retail scanners
All retail scanners
If you are selling on Amazon, Walmart, Target, or any major retailer, use UPC-A. Choose UPC-E only when the product packaging is too small for a standard barcode (such as lip balm tubes or small cosmetics).
UPC Barcodes for Amazon FBA
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) requires a valid GS1-issued UPC barcode, also known as a GTIN (Global Trade Item Number), for most new product listings created in Seller Central. Amazon verifies UPC numbers against the GS1 registry and may suppress or remove listings that use unregistered, recycled, or counterfeit UPC codes purchased from unauthorized third-party resellers. The GS1 Company Prefix assigned to your business is embedded in every UPC you generate, establishing a verifiable chain of product ownership. This UPC barcode generator creates compliant UPC-A barcodes from your GS1-issued number that scan correctly with every barcode reader used in Amazon fulfillment centers, retail stores, and third-party logistics warehouses across North America. Download your barcode as SVG for crisp printing on any label size, or as PNG for digital use in product listing images and inventory management software.
Here is the step-by-step process for creating compliant FBA product barcodes:
Obtain a GS1 UPC number -- Purchase from GS1 US (gs1us.org) or an authorized reseller. Each unique product needs its own UPC.
Enter the number above -- Paste your 11 or 12 digit UPC. The check digit is auto-calculated.
Download as SVG -- This UPC barcode generator outputs vector SVG format that ensures crisp printing at any label size.
Print on labels -- Apply to product packaging at minimum 80% magnification with quiet zones on both sides.
For shipping cartons containing multiple UPC-labeled products, use ITF-14 barcodes from the bulk generator instead. Amazon requires ITF-14 on the outer case for case-packed shipments. Return to this UPC barcode generator when you need individual product labels.
Related Barcode Formats
Related barcode formats are companion symbologies that cover the use cases a UPC barcode does not handle well, such as international retail, shipping labels, warehouse tracking, and high-volume label production. EAN-13 is the global retail counterpart to UPC and is required for products sold outside North America. Code 128 is the better choice for alphanumeric shipment IDs, carton labels, and internal logistics workflows because it stores letters and numbers together. A bulk barcode generator is useful when you need to create large batches of product or inventory labels from pasted spreadsheet data instead of generating them one by one. Together, these formats let sellers move from product registration to fulfillment, export, and warehouse operations without switching to a different tool stack.
Depending on your use case, you may also need these barcode types:
EAN-13 -- The international equivalent of UPC. Required for products sold outside North America.
Code 128 -- Alphanumeric barcode used on shipping labels, not for retail products.
Data Matrix -- Compact 2D format for small parts, pharmaceutical unit doses, and FDA DSCSA serialization where a linear UPC will not fit.
QR Code -- Scan-to-URL 2D format for product inserts, warranty registration links, and shelf-edge marketing that complement the retail UPC.
Bulk Generator -- Create hundreds of UPC barcodes at once from a CSV file.
All Formats -- Use the main barcode generator for all 50+ supported types, or return to this UPC barcode generator for retail product labels.
UPC Barcode FAQ
UPC barcodes are essential for selling products in retail stores, on Amazon, through Walmart Marketplace, and across every major online and physical marketplace in North America. This UPC barcode generator FAQ covers the most common questions about obtaining official UPC/GTIN numbers from GS1 (the only globally recognized issuing authority), choosing between the standard 12-digit UPC-A format and the compressed 8-digit UPC-E format for small packaging, meeting Amazon FBA product identification and Brand Registry requirements, ensuring your barcodes print at the correct magnification (minimum 80% per GS1 specification) with adequate quiet zones for reliable point-of-sale scanning, and understanding the cost structure for GS1 Company Prefix registration. Whether you are listing your first product on Amazon Seller Central, registering with GS1 US for a company prefix to assign unique product codes, or producing print-ready barcode labels for brick-and-mortar retail distribution across thousands of store locations, these answers address the practical steps and technical specifications you need.
A UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode is a 12-digit linear barcode printed on retail products sold across North America and recognized worldwide. It encodes a unique Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) that point-of-sale scanners read at checkout to retrieve product pricing and inventory data. UPC-A is the standard 12-digit format used on most consumer goods. UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version designed for small packages where physical space is limited, such as cosmetics, candy, and small pharmaceutical items.
Official UPC/GTIN numbers are obtained from GS1, the global standards organization that manages the Universal Product Code system. Visit gs1.org to purchase a GS1 Company Prefix, which gives you the ability to assign unique UPC numbers to each of your products. Pricing starts at $250 for a small business prefix covering up to 10 products, with annual renewal fees. Some authorized resellers sell individual UPC numbers at lower cost, though Amazon and major retailers increasingly verify GS1 registration. For internal inventory use that does not require retail scanning, you can use any numbering system you choose.
UPC-A is the full 12-digit barcode used on most retail products and is the format required by Amazon FBA, Walmart, Target, and other major retailers. UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version that suppresses leading zeros in the manufacturer and product code fields, producing a barcode approximately 40% narrower than UPC-A. UPC-E is designed specifically for small packages -- such as individual candy pieces, lip balm tubes, and blister-packed items -- where a standard UPC-A barcode cannot fit at minimum print magnification. Both formats encode the same underlying product identification number and are readable by every commercial barcode scanner.