Enter barcode number get information8/15/2023 ![]() The most popular label size for a UPC-A barcode is 1.5 x 1 inches. There is a specific mathematical formula (algorithm) that calculates the correct ‘Check Digit' for a UPC barcode, but don’t worry…you won’t have to do any math here, simply click the fllowing link to the GS1 website:, enter the 11 digits (Number System Character + Manufacturer Number + Item Number = 11 digits) of your custom UPC barcode to get the correct ‘Check Digit’ (12th and final number of a UPC barcode). If you want to create a fully functional UPC-A barcode for an item to be sold retail to a consumer, then you will need to have a correctly formatted 'Check Digit'. The last number in a standard 12 number sequence UPC barcode is a ‘Check Digit’. How to Calculate a UPC Barcode 'Check Digit' Note: most barcode scanners can be programmed to omit a ‘Check Digit’ if need be however, this is not recommended due to it can result in increased inventory tracking errors.ħ. In order for a ‘Check Digit’ to function properly, it must be formatted correctly – more about this in the following section below. This prompts the user to "check" the barcode to find the cause of the error. This tutorial on how to create a fully functional UPC-A barcode from scratch assumes that you do not already have nor are required to have a Company Prefix (aka Global Trade Item Number®) and a 5-digit 'Item Number' that must be obtained and registered by the GS1 for a fee, and that you do not need to sell your barcoded item on Amazon (TM) or via any other regulated distribution channel requiring annual GS1 licensing of your company and product Global Trade Item Number® (GTIN®). If the proceeding criteria applies to you, then you can simply create your own UPC barcode identifying numbers (Company Prefix & Item Number) without the need for licensing them.Ī ‘Check Digit’ (aka 'Checksum Character' or a 'Modulo Check Character') performs a function as its name implies: if there are any errors or data omissions from either the 'Number System Character', 'Manufacturer Number', or 'Item Number' sequences of a UPC barcode, a correctly formatted ‘Check Digit’ coding will prevent the barcode from being scanned and will cause a barcode scanner to emit an audible error signal. 'Company Prefix' & 'Item Number' Creation See paragraph 5 below for more on this topic.ĥ. For example, if you are an individual or small company distributing your barcoded items directly to the end user customer, then you probably do not need to obtain a Global Trade Item Number® from the GS1. Whether or not you will need to acquire licensed and registered UPC numbers from the GS1 depends on how you distribute your product. Company’s do not buy UPC numbers from the GS1 they are licensed and need to be registered annually for a fee from the GS1. The GS1 (formerly the Uniform Code Council) is a non-profit, global organization that controls the standards and issuance of UPC barcode identifying numbers (Global Trade Item Number®/GTIN®) to companies that distribute their barcoded products nationally and internationally in regulated and monitored distribution channels. IMPORTANT: it is common practice for the leading 1-digit 'Number System Character' and the following 5-digit 'Manufacturer Number' to be combined into a 6-digit sequence and referred to simply as a “ Company Prefix" (Number System Character + Manufacturer Number = Company Prefix). Here is a listing of what the different number system characters from 0 to 9 denote:Ġ, 1, 6, 7 & 8 are for standard UPC-A barcodes (most commonly used for retail applications).Ģ is for random weight items such as meats or fruits.Ĥ is for in-store identification of non-food products. When creating a custom UPC barcode from scratch, the following handy reference will help you choose the correct 1-digit 'Number System Character' starting all UPC-A barcodes as shown in above image. Choosing the Right 'Number System Character' If you need to create a barcode for consumer products that will be sold in a retail store by you, then you will need to create UPC-A barcodes.Ī standard UPC-A barcode consists of 12 digits comprising of 4 unique sections, and they are: a 'Number System Character', a 5 digit 'Manufacturer Number', a 5 digit "Item Number', and a 'Check Digit.'ģ. UPC-A barcodes are the most common consumer product barcodes used in North America. Anatomy of a UPC (Universal Product Code) Barcode We will also give you a brief overview of the GS1 and if you need to have licensed and registered UPC numbers from them.Ģ. You will also learn how to correctly format a UPC barcode in our free online Barcode Generatorand how to print UPC barcodes on sheets of labels from Microsoft Word on a standard desktop laser or inkjet printer. In this tutorial we will show you the different components that constitute a UPC barcode and their functions. PC America Hardware/Software Package Upgrades.
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