UPC Barcode Generator
Create the 12-digit UPC-A barcode used in US and Canadian retail.
How to use the UPC Barcode Generator
- Enter 11 digits (check digit added) or a full 12-digit number.
- Download the barcode.
About the UPC Barcode Generator
UPC-A is the 12-digit retail barcode used across the United States and Canada, and the original from which the worldwide system grew. It carries a company prefix, an item number and a final check digit computed from the first eleven by a weighted sum, so a till can catch a misread immediately. Enter 11 digits and this tool calculates and appends the check digit; enter all 12 and it is validated. UPC-A is effectively a subset of EAN-13 — the same number with a leading zero — and modern scanners read both without caring.
Be clear about what this tool does and does not do: the numbers in a retail barcode are assigned by GS1. Generating a UPC image here does not register a product, does not create a GTIN, and will not get you onto a retailer’s shelf. It draws the bars for a number you already own. Anyone selling through shops must obtain their own GS1 company prefix and allocate item numbers from it — a made-up number can collide with a real product and will be rejected at intake. Use this for numbers you have been issued, for testing, and for reprinting damaged labels.
Print at the size your retailer specifies, never stretch it horizontally to fill a space, keep dark bars on a plain light background, and leave the quiet zones at both ends untouched.
Frequently asked questions
Does this create a real UPC I can sell with?
No. UPC and EAN numbers are issued by GS1. This tool renders the bars for a number you supply — it does not register anything. To sell in shops you need your own GS1 company prefix.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
UPC-A is 12 digits and used mainly in the US and Canada; EAN-13 is 13 digits and used worldwide. UPC-A is effectively an EAN-13 with a leading zero, and modern scanners handle both.
What is the twelfth digit for?
It is a check digit, calculated from the first eleven using a weighted sum, so scanners can detect most misreads. Enter 11 digits and it is added for you.
Can a UPC contain letters?
No. It is numeric only. If you need letters or symbols on a label, Code 128 is the format to use.
Can I resize the barcode to fit my packaging?
Scale it proportionally, within the size range your retailer allows. Never stretch or squash it in one direction only — distorting the bar widths is a reliable way to make it unscannable.