UPC Barcode Generator

UPC Barcode Generator: The Complete Guide for US and Canadian Products

Universal Product Code (UPC) is the standard barcode symbology for retail products in the United States and Canada. Our free online UPC generator allows you to create standards-compliant UPC-A and UPC-E barcodes instantly for product packaging, inventory management, or retail applications.

What is a UPC Barcode?

UPC (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit barcode system established in the early 1970s and is the primary retail product identification method in the United States and Canada. Each UPC-A barcode contains 12 digits: the first digit indicates the number system (product type category), followed by a 5-digit manufacturer code (assigned by GS1 US), a 5-digit product code (assigned by the manufacturer), and a final check digit that verifies the barcode's integrity.

UPC-A vs. UPC-E: What's the Difference?

UPC-A is the standard 12-digit format, while UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version designed for smaller packages. UPC-E uses special compression rules to eliminate zeroes from the manufacturer code and product code portions of a UPC-A code, resulting in a barcode that's roughly half the width but still scannable by standard equipment. UPC-E codes can only be generated from UPC-A codes that have specific patterns of zeros in their manufacturer or product codes.

UPC and International Commerce

While UPC is predominantly used in the United States and Canada, it's compatible with the international EAN-13 system. In fact, a UPC-A code is essentially an EAN-13 code with a leading zero. This means most modern scanners worldwide can read UPC codes, and products with UPC codes can be sold internationally without requiring additional barcodes. However, for products primarily sold outside North America, an EAN-13 code is generally recommended.

How to Create a UPC Barcode

Using our tool, you can generate a UPC barcode in seconds. Simply enter 11 digits for UPC-A (the 12th check digit will be calculated automatically), customize the appearance if desired, and download your high-quality barcode image. For official product registration, you'll need to obtain a genuine UPC number from GS1 US, the official organization that issues legitimate UPC codes for commercial use.

UPC Technical Specifications

UPC barcodes follow specific technical standards to ensure reliable scanning across all retail environments. The symbology includes guard patterns (the longer bars at the beginning, middle, and end), data bars that encode the actual digits, and a specific algorithm for calculating the check digit. Our generator handles all these technical details automatically to ensure your barcodes are fully compliant with GS1 standards.

UPC Number System Digits

The first digit of a UPC-A code, known as the Number System digit, indicates the type of product or special handling requirements:

• 0: Regular UPC codes
• 1: Reserved
• 2: Random-weight items (meat, produce)
• 3: Pharmaceuticals
• 4: Used for in-store marking by retailers
• 5: Coupons
• 6: Reserved
• 7: Regular UPC codes
• 8: Reserved
• 9: Reserved

UPC Barcode Applications

UPC barcodes are used in virtually every retail environment in the United States and Canada, from grocery stores and department stores to electronics retailers and pharmacies. Beyond basic inventory and checkout functions, UPC codes enable advanced retail operations such as automatic reordering, sales tracking, and integration with modern point-of-sale systems. For manufacturers and retailers, implementing UPC codes is essential for distribution through major retail channels and for maintaining efficient inventory management systems.