Free UPC Barcode Generator
Turn your 11 or 12-digit product number into a scannable UPC barcode. The check digit is added for you, and you can download PNG or SVG for packaging.
选择条形码格式
输入内容
调整外观
预览条形码
贴在商品标签上的效果
Overview
What is a UPC barcode?
A UPC barcode (Universal Product Code) is the 12-digit barcode printed on almost every product sold in the United States and Canada. The number identifies the company and the product; when it is scanned at the checkout, the store’s system looks up the price and item. UPC-A is the full 12-digit version, while UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version for very small packages.
The bars only carry the number — they do not hold price or product name. To sell in retail stores or on marketplaces like Amazon, the number must be a GTIN licensed to your company by GS1. Once you have it, this tool draws the code to the standard, calculates the last digit and exports a vector file for your packaging.
If you sell outside North America, retailers will usually ask for EAN-13 instead. The two are compatible: a 12-digit number becomes a 13-digit one by adding a leading zero, and modern checkout scanners read both. Keep one consistent list of numbers so every listing, invoice and label points to the same product.
Use cases
Where UPC codes are needed
Mainly retail in North America, plus marketplaces that require a GTIN.
Retail stores
Supermarkets and chains scan the code at the checkout and for stock control.
Online marketplaces
Amazon, Walmart and others ask for a GTIN when you list a new product.
Packaging and labels
Print the code on boxes, bottles, tags and stickers from your design files.
Wholesale
Distributors use the code to track your products through their systems.
Small makers
Candle, soap and food makers add codes when they move into local stores.
Inventory control
Even in your own shop, scanning codes is faster and more accurate than typing SKUs.
How it works
How to create a UPC barcode
Get the number first, then draw the code here.
- 1
Get a GS1 company prefix
Join GS1 US (or your local GS1) to license a company prefix, or buy a single GTIN. Assign one number per product and size.
- 2
Enter 11 or 12 digits
Type 11 digits and the check digit is added, or all 12 to have it verified. Switch to UPC-E for compressed codes.
- 3
Download and place
Download SVG for packaging artwork or PNG for labels. Keep the code black on white with a clear margin.
Best practices
Packaging tips
Retailers can reject or fine products whose codes do not scan.
Do not shrink too much
The nominal size is about 37 × 26 mm. Most retailers accept 80–200%; below that, scans fail.
Never truncate the height
Cutting the bars short to save space makes omnidirectional scanners miss the code.
One number per variant
Each size, color and flavor needs its own number. Reusing numbers confuses inventory systems.
Keep the code on a flat panel
Place it on the back or bottom of the pack, away from folds, seams and edges, so the scanner sees every bar at the till.
Mind the colors of your packaging
Black bars on white are safest. Dark blue or green bars also work; red, orange and yellow bars, and dark backgrounds, usually fail.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a UPC barcode?
- A UPC barcode is the 12-digit product barcode used in North American retail. It encodes a GTIN that identifies your company and product so stores can scan it at the checkout.
How do I get a UPC barcode for my product?
- License a company prefix or a single GTIN from GS1, assign a number to your product, then create the UPC barcode image here and print it on your packaging.
How much does a UPC barcode cost?
- Creating the image here is free. The number from GS1 US costs from about $30 for a single GTIN, or more for a company prefix that covers many products.
Can I make a UPC without GS1?
- You can draw any number, but major retailers and Amazon check GS1’s registry. Cheap resold numbers are often rejected, so buy from GS1 for retail.
How do UPC barcodes work?
- The scanner reads the widths of bars and spaces, converts them into 12 digits and checks the last digit. The store then looks up the number in its own database.
What is the difference between UPC-A and UPC-E?
- UPC-A has 12 digits. UPC-E compresses certain numbers with zeros into 8 digits for small packages such as gum or cosmetics. Both encode the same GTIN.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
- UPC-A has 12 digits and is used mostly in the US and Canada; EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used worldwide. Modern scanners read both.
How is the UPC check digit calculated?
- Digits in odd positions are summed and multiplied by 3, digits in even positions are added, and the check digit makes the total a multiple of 10. The generator does this for you.
Can I generate a UPC barcode in Excel?
- Fonts can draw the bars but do not handle guard bars and check digits reliably. Generate the image here and insert it into your sheet or label template.
What size should a UPC be printed?
- About 37.3 × 25.9 mm at 100%. Stay between 80% and 200% and do not cut the height.
Do I need a UPC to sell on Amazon?
- Most categories require a GTIN, such as a UPC, unless you qualify for a GTIN exemption or brand registry. Amazon verifies numbers against GS1.
Is this UPC barcode generator free?
- Yes. Unlimited codes in PNG and SVG, no watermark and no account.
Do I need a new code for each size?
- Yes. Every variant that is sold separately, such as a different size, color or pack count, needs its own number so stores can price and track it.
Can I reuse a code from a discontinued product?
- GS1 rules allow reuse only after a waiting period, and some retailers never accept it. Assign a new number to new products whenever you can.