UPC-A

UPC

Universal Product Code for North America

Length: 12 charactersAllowed characters: 0-9

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About UPC-A

Example: 123456789012

Character Set: 0-9

Length Requirements: Exactly 12 characters

UPC-A (Universal Product Code) is the original 12-digit barcode standard developed in the 1970s for North American retail. Standardized under ISO/IEC 15420, it consists of a number system digit, 5-digit manufacturer code, 5-digit product code, and check digit. UPC-A forms the foundation of modern retail automation and inventory management.

Code Structure:

Number System: 1 digit (product category)
Manufacturer Code: 5 digits (GS1 US assigned)
Product Code: 5 digits (company assigned)
Check Digit: 1 digit (modulo 10 algorithm)

Primary Markets:

Grocery stores and supermarkets
Mass retail and department stores
Consumer packaged goods (CPG)
E-commerce and online retail

Historical Significance: UPC-A revolutionized retail operations when first scanned in 1974, becoming the global standard for product identification. The systematic approach to manufacturer and product coding enables efficient supply chain management, accurate inventory tracking, and seamless point-of-sale operations across millions of retail locations.

Industry Standard: Managed by GS1 US, UPC-A codes are essential for retail distribution in North America. The format integrates with EDI systems, enables automatic reordering, and provides the foundation for retail analytics. Compatible with EAN-13 systems globally through the addition of a leading zero, ensuring international trade compatibility.