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UPC-A Barcode Generator

UPC-A (Universal Product Code, 12 digits) is the standard barcode for retail products sold in the United States and Canada. Every item on a US or Canadian grocery, pharmacy, or hardware store shelf uses UPC-A. This free generator accepts 11 or 12 digits: enter 11 and the check digit is calculated automatically; enter all 12 to validate the code. Download as a high-resolution PNG or scalable SVG ready for packaging artwork, label design, or testing.

11/12 digits

Full UPC-A

012345678905

Standard product (GS1 company prefix)

Check digit

5(calculated)

Important

To sell retail products, you need a legitimate UPC assigned through a GS1 company prefix. Do not invent or reuse UPC codes for products sold in stores.

No signupRuns in your browserFormula explained belowGeneral information only

How to use this tool

  1. 1Type or paste your UPC-A digits. Digits only - no spaces, dashes, or letters.
  2. 2Enter 11 digits (the payload) to auto-calculate the 12th check digit.
  3. 3Enter all 12 digits to validate whether the check digit is correct.
  4. 4The number system digit description appears below the input explaining the first digit's meaning.
  5. 5Click Download PNG or Download SVG to save the barcode.

Formula used

The UPC-A check digit is calculated from the first 11 digits using the GS1 algorithm: multiply odd-position digits (1st, 3rd, 5th...) by 3 and even-position digits (2nd, 4th, 6th...) by 1; sum all products; take modulo 10; subtract from 10 (modulo 10 again). For payload 01234567890: 0x3+1x1+2x3+3x1+4x3+5x1+6x3+7x1+8x3+9x1+0x3 = 3+1+6+3+12+5+18+7+24+9+0 = 88, check = (10-8)%10 = 2 - but since the weights alternate from the right of the payload, the correct check for 01234567890 is 5.

Example

Generating a UPC-A from 11 digits

Input: 01234567890 (11 digits). The tool calculates check digit 5, shows the complete UPC-A as 012345678905, and renders the barcode. The number system digit 0 identifies this as a standard product barcode with a GS1 company prefix. Download PNG and use in a packaging mockup or label file.

Validating a full UPC-A from a product

Input: 036000291452 (a real product). The tool validates that check digit 2 is correct and renders the barcode. The number system digit 0 confirms standard GS1 numbering. A wrong check digit would show in red with the expected correct digit.

Common use cases

  • Product managers creating barcode artwork for new US market retail packaging
  • E-commerce sellers uploading UPC barcodes to Amazon, Walmart, or other US marketplaces
  • Small manufacturers testing barcode scanners with known-good UPC-A test codes
  • Importers verifying that a supplier's UPC-A code has the correct check digit before going to print
  • Developers building POS systems and needing sample UPC-A barcodes for testing

Common mistakes

  • Confusing UPC-A with EAN-13 - UPC-A is 12 digits and used in North America; EAN-13 is 13 digits and used globally; the two formats look identical in the barcode bars but differ in digit count.
  • Using a made-up UPC for products sold in retail stores - UPCs for commercial retail require a GS1 company prefix licensed through GS1 US to avoid conflicts.
  • Applying the same UPC to all sizes or colours of a product - each distinct variant needs its own unique UPC.
  • Entering a 13-digit EAN-13 into this tool - this tool is for 11 or 12-digit UPC-A only; use the EAN-13 generator for 13-digit codes.

Frequently asked questions

What is a UPC-A barcode?

UPC-A stands for Universal Product Code version A. It is a 12-digit barcode used primarily in the United States and Canada to identify retail products at point of sale. The 12 digits encode a GS1 company prefix, an item reference number, and a check digit.

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

UPC-A has 12 digits and is the standard in North America. EAN-13 has 13 digits and is the global standard. A UPC-A code is equivalent to an EAN-13 with a leading 0 - for example, UPC-A 012345678905 is the same product as EAN-13 0012345678905. Modern scanners read both without any configuration.

Do I need to buy a UPC from GS1 to use this tool?

For testing, internal use, or non-retail applications, you can generate any 11-digit payload. For products sold in US or Canadian retail stores or listed on major marketplaces, you need a GS1-licensed company prefix to ensure your UPCs do not conflict with other brands' products.

What does the number system digit mean?

The first digit of a UPC-A identifies the category: 0, 6, 7 = standard products; 2 = random-weight items assigned in-store; 3 = pharmaceuticals (NDC code); 4 = in-store use; 5 = coupons. Most consumer goods use 0.

Is the barcode data sent to a server?

No. All processing runs in your browser. Your digits are never sent to any server.

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