How to Generate UPC Barcodes for Your Products (2026 Guide)

You’re here because someone (a retailer, a marketplace, a wholesale buyer) has asked you to create a barcode, and you’re not quite sure where to start.

Good news: this is one of those things that looks more complicated than it is. We’re going to walk you through what a UPC barcode is, how to generate one (including a handful of free tools), and when you actually need to bother registering with GS1.

What is a UPC barcode?

A UPC barcode is a 12-digit identifier used to uniquely track and manage products across retail environments, from checkout systems to warehouse inventory software.

UPC stands for Universal Product Code. It’s used to identify products, and the unique combination of numbers in a UPC barcode allows retailers to track and manage their product inventory.

There are two types of UPC barcodes: UPC-A and UPC-E. The most common version is UPC-A, which consists of 12 digits.

UPC-E is a shortened version of UPC-A and uses only 7 digits. The reason it’s shorter is mainly due to products requiring a code with limited package space, like small cosmetics or tiny hardware items.

How do I register a UPC?

One thing to note is that UPC barcodes do not need to be registered or obtained from a central database like some other types of barcodes. Instead, you generate your own unique barcode for your product using the guidelines discussed below.

However, if you are selling products through major retailers such as Amazon or Walmart, they will likely require you to register your UPC codes with GS1, which is a global organisation dedicated to the development and implementation of standards for business communication.

For most small makers selling direct-to-consumer or through Etsy, GS1 registration isn’t something you need to worry about right away.

How UPC Barcodes Work

Let’s start with a bit more theory: how do UPC barcodes actually work?

UPCs follow a specific format that makes them unique and easily scannable by barcode readers. The basic structure of a UPC barcode consists of two parts: the machine-readable part (the bars) and the human-readable part (the numbers). The machine-readable section is scanned by a barcode reader, which translates the information into digits.

Humans can also read the printed numbers and enter them manually if needed, which is handy when a scanner isn’t available.

UPCs are composed of 12 digits, divided into three sections and one check digit:

1. Number System Character: The first digit indicates the type of product.
2. Manufacturer Code: The next five digits identify the product’s manufacturer.
3. Product Code: The following five digits indicate the specific product.
4. Check Digit: The last digit ensures the code’s accuracy, calculated using a mathematical formula to confirm all other digits are correct.

These digits are encoded into a series of black and white bars that scanners read. When a scanner reads a UPC barcode, it translates the bars into numbers, which are then matched with the product information in a database.

This quick and accurate method streamlines various business processes, from checkout to inventory tracking.

UPC barcodes use a specific and standard symbology called the Universal Product Code (UPC-A). There are several other types of barcode symbologies, such as QR codes and EAN codes, each with its unique structure and purpose.

How to generate a UPC barcode for free

You can generate a UPC barcode for free using several online tools, with no software installation required.

The fastest route for most makers is to use a free online barcode generator. These tools let you type in a 12-digit number, choose your format, and download a print-ready barcode image in seconds.

Here are some free UPC barcode generators worth trying:

• Barcode Generator by Shopify: simple interface, free, download as PNG or SVG
• Barcode Tec-IT: supports multiple symbologies including UPC-A, EAN, and more
• Free Online Barcode Generator (barcode.org.uk): straightforward, no sign-up required

For very small print runs or testing purposes, these tools are entirely sufficient. The key thing to remember is that the 12-digit number you enter needs to be a valid UPC. You can’t just enter any random digits. Use a check digit calculator if you’re building your own numbering system from scratch.

How to create a UPC Barcode using Excel

Now that you understand the basics of UPC barcodes, let’s look at how to create them using Microsoft Excel. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. Open Excel and start with a new or existing spreadsheet.
2. Install a barcode font on your computer (we’ll cover this in detail below).
3. In the first cell, enter the 12-digit number for your product.
4. Select that cell and change the font to your newly installed barcode font.
5. Adjust the column width until the bars appear correctly.
6. Save your file and print out the sheet with the barcode.

You’ve now created a UPC barcode using Excel. This method is great for small businesses or personal use.

However, if you need to generate multiple barcodes at once, this approach is going to become tedious fairly quickly. This is where you’d usually graduate to using an inventory management solution that can generate these codes for you automatically and keep track of which products they’re assigned to.

How to find barcode fonts for Excel

You’ll likely find that you don’t have a barcode font on your machine by default, so you’ll need to find one online.

Good news: there are many free options out there:

• Libre Barcode 128 - Google Fonts
• Free Barcode Font - Code 39
• Fontspace - Barcodes

Install these on your machine exactly as you would any other font, then select the new barcode font when formatting your cells in Excel.

Difference Between UPC and EAN Barcodes

While both UPC and EAN codes serve the same purpose and use similar symbologies, they have a few key differences:

• Number System: While UPCs use just one number system character to indicate product type, EAN codes use two.
• Length: EAN codes are longer than UPCs, containing 13 digits instead of 12.
• Geographical Usage: EAN codes are mostly used in Europe, while UPCs are predominantly used in North America.
• Compatibility: UPC barcodes can be scanned by EAN barcode readers, but the reverse is not always true. This makes UPC codes more versatile for North American retail.

If you’re selling internationally, it’s worth knowing that most modern point-of-sale systems handle both formats. Checking with your retail partners before deciding which format to use is a smart move.

When do you actually need a UPC barcode?

Not every maker needs one, so it’s worth being clear about when they matter.

If you’re selling directly to customers (at markets, through your own website, or via Etsy), you almost certainly don’t need a UPC barcode. These channels don’t require product barcodes.

You’ll need a barcode when:

• Selling to wholesale buyers or retailers who use point-of-sale scanning systems
• Listing on Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, or other large platforms that require product identifiers
• Working with a third-party logistics provider who needs barcodes for warehouse scanning

If you’re just getting started and want to track your own product inventory, there are better tools than barcodes. Inventory management software tracks products by name and SKU, which is usually more practical for small-batch makers.

Frequently Asked Questions