Barcode Type Guide
UPC-A Barcode Generator — Free
Generate UPC-A barcodes for retail products sold in the US and Canada. The standard barcode format at every North American checkout scanner.
UPC-A — Technical Specification
Barcode TypeLinear (1D)
Character SetNumeric only (digits 0–9)
LengthExactly 12 digits (11 data + 1 check digit)
Check DigitYes (auto-calculated)
StandardGS1 UPC-A
Common UsesNorth American retail, grocery, consumer products
Relationship to EAN-13UPC-A is EAN-13 with a leading 0 — most scanners read both
Output in Barcode CanvasVector SVG with human-readable digits
Where UPC-A Is Used
US and Canadian retail products
Required by US retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon US) for product identification at POS.
Grocery and consumer packaged goods
All CPG products sold through US grocery chains need a valid UPC-A barcode.
GS1 US registered companies
US companies registered with GS1 US generate UPC-A codes from their company prefix.
When to Use UPC-A
- ✓ You're selling a product through US or Canadian retail stores
- ✓ A US retailer has requested a UPC barcode for product listing
- ✓ You have a GS1 US company prefix
When NOT to Use UPC-A
- ✗ European retail — use EAN-13 instead (though they're compatible at most scanners)
- ✗ Storing text or alphanumeric data — UPC-A is 12 digits only
- ✗ Internal tracking — Code 128 or QR is more flexible
Generate a UPC-A barcode now
Free, in your browser. Add it to a label, resize it, and print — all without leaving Barcode Canvas.
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