UPC barcodes for the US and Canada
UPC-A is the 12-digit barcode used on retail products in the United States and Canada and accepted by Amazon US, Walmart and most marketplaces. This UPC barcode generator validates your number, calculates the check digit and creates print-ready barcodes in the correct size.
How to create a UPC barcode
- Type 11 digits (the check digit is added) or all 12 to check them.
- Choose UPC-A, or UPC-E for very small packages.
- Select the size and add human-readable digits.
- Download SVG, PDF or PNG, or a sheet of labels.
UPC-A vs UPC-E vs EAN-13
| Barcode | Digits | Use |
|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 12 | Standard US/Canada retail |
| UPC-E | 8 (compressed) | Small items like cosmetics and gum |
| EAN-13 | 13 | Worldwide retail and books |
A UPC-A is the same as an EAN-13 with a leading 0, so scanners worldwide read it.
UPCs for Amazon
Amazon verifies UPCs against the GS1 database. Buy your numbers from GS1 US (or apply for a GTIN exemption for private-label products). Then generate the barcode here for your packaging. Amazon’s own FNSKU labels for FBA are printed from Seller Central.
Printing tips
- Standard UPC-A size is about 37.3 × 25.9 mm (100%); stay within 80–200%.
- Black on white, with clear space on both sides.
- Don’t stretch or squash the barcode — scale it evenly.
UPC-A or UPC-E?
- UPC-A has 12 digits and is the standard barcode for retail products in the US and Canada, and the one Amazon expects.
- UPC-E is a short 8-digit version for very small packages. Only some UPC-A numbers (with enough zeros) can be compressed to UPC-E.
Enter 11 digits — the 12th is added for you
The last digit is a check digit calculated from the others so scanners can catch misreads. Type the first 11 digits and the generator adds it; type all 12 and it checks that the number is valid. Example: 01234567890 becomes 012345678905.
Printing that scans first time
- Size: the nominal UPC-A size is about 37.3 × 25.9 mm (100%). Stay between 80% and 200%; the size panel shows exact millimetres.
- Quiet zone: keep white space on both sides of the bars.
- Colours: dark bars on a light background. Avoid red bars — many scanners use red light.
- Files: SVG or the exact-size PDF for packaging printers, PNG at 300 DPI for labels.
Many products at once
Use Bulk & labels to make barcodes for a whole list, download them as a ZIP, or print label sheets (A4, Avery and thermal sizes).
Important: the number must be yours
The generator draws the barcode for any valid number, but the number itself must be licensed from GS1 if you sell on Amazon or in retail stores. Amazon checks UPCs against the GS1 database. Read UPC barcodes for Amazon before you list.