UPC Barcodes for Amazon: What They Are, Where to Get Them and How to Print Them
If you want to sell a product on Amazon, Daraz or in retail stores, you will soon be asked for a UPC or EAN. Many new sellers search for a free UPC barcode generator, make a code — and later find their listing suppressed. The reason is simple: a barcode image is free to make, but the number inside it is not. Here is what you need to know.
What is a UPC?
A UPC (Universal Product Code) is a 12-digit number that identifies one specific product — for example, one size and one colour of a water bottle. It is a type of GTIN (Global Trade Item Number). The black-and-white bars are just a way for scanners to read that number.
| Part of a UPC-A | What it means |
|---|---|
| Company prefix | Identifies your brand. Assigned by GS1 when you license numbers. |
| Item reference | Your number for this exact product (each size or colour gets its own). |
| Check digit (last digit) | Calculated from the other 11 digits so scanners can spot reading errors. |
UPC vs EAN
A UPC-A has 12 digits and is mainly used in the US and Canada. An EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used in most other countries — the first digits show the GS1 country office that issued it (for example, 896 for Pakistan, 890 for India). Both are GTINs, and Amazon accepts either.
Why Amazon checks your UPC
Amazon requires a GTIN for most products and verifies it against GS1’s database. If the company prefix in your UPC is not registered to your brand, Amazon can reject or remove the listing. That is why cheap UPCs bought from resellers — numbers once licensed to another company — often cause trouble.
If you make your own products without a barcode (for example handmade or private-label goods sold only on Amazon), you may be able to apply for a GTIN exemption instead. It is granted per brand and category.
Where to get a valid UPC
- GS1 US: a single GTIN costs a one-time $30 with no renewal fee — ideal if you have only one or a few products.
- GS1 company prefix: a block of numbers for many products, with an annual fee — better for growing brands.
- Your country’s GS1 office (such as GS1 Pakistan or GS1 India) if you sell mainly in your home market.
Always check current prices on your GS1 office’s website before buying.
How the check digit works
The 12th digit is calculated from the first 11. Take the sample number 01234567890_:
- Add the digits in odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th…): 0 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 0 = 20, then multiply by 3 = 60.
- Add the digits in even positions: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25.
- Total: 60 + 25 = 85. The check digit is what you add to reach the next multiple of 10: 5.
So the full UPC is 012345678905. Our UPC barcode generator calculates and checks this digit for you automatically.
How to print a barcode that scans
- Use the right size. The standard UPC-A is about 1.47 × 1.02 in (37.3 × 25.9 mm) at 100%; stay between 80% and 200% of that size.
- Keep the quiet zones. Leave white space on the left and right of the bars; text or edges too close make scanning fail.
- Black bars on a white background give the best contrast. Avoid red bars — many scanners use red light and cannot see them.
- Use vector files (SVG or PDF) for packaging, so the bars stay sharp.
- Test before printing thousands — scan a sample with a phone barcode app.
UPC is not the same as an FNSKU
When you use FBA, Amazon may also give you an FNSKU label (starting with X00…) to identify your units in its warehouses. The UPC identifies the product; the FNSKU identifies the seller’s stock. You may need both. To understand the rest of Amazon’s costs, read our guide to Amazon FBA fees in 2026.
Make the barcode image
Once you have your licensed number, type it into the free UPC barcode generator (or the EAN barcode generator) and download a print-ready PNG, SVG or PDF, including label sheets — all in your browser.
Rules and prices can change. Check Amazon Seller Central’s GTIN help pages and your GS1 office for current requirements before you list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make my own UPC number for Amazon?
No. A barcode generator draws the barcode image for a number, but the number itself must be licensed from GS1 (or your country’s GS1 office). Amazon checks product UPCs against the GS1 database, and made-up or resold numbers can get listings removed.
How much does a UPC cost?
GS1 US sells a single GTIN (UPC) for a one-time fee of $30 with no renewal. Businesses with many products usually license a GS1 company prefix, which has an annual fee. Prices differ in other countries’ GS1 offices.
What is the difference between UPC and EAN?
Both are GTINs. A UPC-A has 12 digits and is mostly used in the US and Canada; an EAN-13 has 13 digits and is used in most of the world. Amazon accepts both if they are registered with GS1.
