How to make a UPC barcode
- Type your 11-digit UPC number. We calculate and add the 12th digit (the check digit). If you already have all 12 digits, enter them and we'll check the last one is correct.
- Check the preview. The numbers printed under the bars should match your product number exactly.
- Download the SVG for packaging artwork, or the high-resolution PNG for labels.
Selling in stores or on Amazon? This tool draws a barcode for any number you type, but it can't give you an official product number. Retail UPC and EAN numbers come from GS1, and big retailers and marketplaces check codes against GS1's records. See how to get a real UPC code.
What the 12 digits of a UPC mean
| Part | Digits | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Company prefix | 6–10 | Assigned to your business by GS1. Starts with the number-system digit. |
| Item reference | 1–5 | The number you assign to each product, size and variant. |
| Check digit | 1 | Calculated from the other 11 digits so scanners can catch misreads. |
The length of the company prefix depends on how many product numbers you bought from GS1. A bigger allocation means a shorter prefix and more digits left for item numbers.
How the UPC check digit is calculated
Add the digits in the odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th… 11th) and multiply by 3. Add the digits in the even positions. Add the two results. The check digit is whatever you need to reach the next multiple of 10. For example, 03600029145 gives a check digit of 2, so the full UPC is 036000291452. Our check digit calculator does this for UPC, EAN and GTIN-14.
UPC barcode for Amazon, Shopify and Etsy
- Amazon: Amazon checks product IDs against GS1's database. Numbers bought from cheap resellers often don't match the brand on the listing and can get rejected. Use a GS1 number, or apply for a GTIN exemption if your products have no barcode.
- Shopify and your own store: barcodes are optional. You can use a GS1 UPC, or an internal Code 128 SKU barcode for stock-keeping.
- Etsy and craft fairs: barcodes usually aren't required. If you just want scannable stock labels, any internal number is fine.
Frequently asked questions
How many digits is a UPC code?
A UPC-A code has 12 digits. The first 11 identify the company and product, and the 12th is a check digit calculated from the others. Enter 11 digits here and we'll add the check digit for you.
Can I make up my own UPC number?
You can generate a barcode for any 12-digit number, and it will scan. But for products sold in retail stores or on marketplaces like Amazon, the number must be registered to your company through GS1, or listings and shipments can be rejected. For internal use (your own shelves, a craft fair, inventory) any number works.
What's the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A (12 digits) is used mainly in the US and Canada; EAN-13 (13 digits) is used almost everywhere else. A UPC is really an EAN-13 that starts with 0, so modern scanners read both.
What size should a UPC barcode be?
The standard (100%) UPC-A symbol is about 1.469 × 1.02 inches (37.3 × 25.9 mm). GS1 allows scaling from 80% to 200%. Going smaller than 80% or cutting the height makes it harder to scan.
What is UPC-E?
UPC-E is a compressed 8-digit version of UPC-A for very small packages. It only works for certain numbers with runs of zeros. You can make one with the main barcode generator by choosing UPC-E.