Learn: The Barcode Reference

What Is a Barcode? How They Work, Types & Why They Matter

A barcode is a machine-readable pattern of bars and spaces that encodes data. Learn how barcodes work, the difference between 1D and 2D, the major barcode types, and how to make one.

What Is a UPC? The 12-Digit Universal Product Code Explained

A UPC is a 12-digit Universal Product Code used on retail products in the US and Canada. Learn what UPC means, how to get one from GS1, and how to generate UPC-A barcodes.

What Is an EAN? The 13-Digit International Article Number Explained

An EAN is a 13-digit International Article Number used as the global retail barcode standard outside North America. Learn what EAN means, how it differs from UPC, and how to get one from GS1.

What Is a GTIN? Global Trade Item Numbers Explained

A GTIN is the 8-, 12-, 13-, or 14-digit identifier that uniquely identifies a product worldwide. Learn what GTIN means, how it relates to UPC and EAN, and how to get one from GS1.

What Is an ISBN? The 13-Digit International Standard Book Number Explained

An ISBN is a 13-digit International Standard Book Number that uniquely identifies a book edition. Learn what ISBN means, how to get one from Bowker, and how it differs from ASIN.

What Is an ASIN? Amazon's 10-Character Product Identifier Explained

An ASIN is a 10-character alphanumeric code that Amazon assigns to every product in its catalog. Learn what ASIN means, how it differs from UPC and FNSKU, and how to find or create one.

What Is an FNSKU? Amazon's FBA Unit Label Explained

An FNSKU is Amazon's per-unit Code 128 label that every FBA unit needs. Learn what FNSKU means, how it differs from SKU and ASIN, and how to print FNSKU labels.

What Is an MPN? Manufacturer Part Number Explained

An MPN is the Manufacturer Part Number that uniquely identifies a product within its manufacturer's catalog. Learn how MPN differs from UPC, SKU, and GTIN.

What Is a SKU? Stock Keeping Units Explained

A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is your internal product code — your format, your rules. Different from UPC (global GS1 retail code), GTIN (umbrella term for GS1 numbers), and MPN (manufacturer part number).

What Is GS1? The Organization Behind Every Authentic Retail Barcode

GS1 is the global not-for-profit that owns and licenses every authentic retail barcode standard — UPC, EAN-13, ITF-14, GS1-128, GS1 DataMatrix. Learn what GS1 does, why retailers require it, what membership costs, and where the GS1 system ends.

What Is a Global Location Number (GLN)?

A GLN (Global Location Number) is a 13-digit GS1 identifier for a physical or organizational location. Used in EDI, healthcare, retail supply chains. Learn the structure, how to get one, and where it appears.

What Is an SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code)?

SSCC is the 18-digit GS1 identifier for a specific logistics unit — one pallet, one case, one carton. Different from GTIN (the product). Learn the structure, the (00) Application Identifier, and how it gets scanned in shipping.

What Is a GTIN-14?

GTIN-14 is the 14-digit identifier used on shipping cartons and master cases. ITF-14 is the barcode format that renders it. Learn the indicator digit, how it converts from UPC/EAN, and when retailers require it.

What Is EPCIS? The Supply Chain Visibility Standard

EPCIS is the GS1 standard for sharing supply chain event data between trading partners. Required for DSCSA pharma compliance and EU FMD. Learn the 4 event dimensions (what, when, where, why) and how it differs from EDI.

What Is GS1 Digital Link?

GS1 Digital Link encodes a GTIN inside a web URL. Scanning the QR/Data Matrix opens a webpage with product info, lot/batch traceability, expiry data. Slated to replace UPC-A on retail packaging by 2027 'Sunrise 2027' initiative.

What Is a 12-Digit Barcode?

A 12-digit barcode is a UPC-A — the standard retail barcode used across the US and Canada since 1973. Learn the structure, why it's exactly 12 digits, and where it appears.

What Is a 13-Digit Barcode?

A 13-digit barcode is an EAN-13 — the international retail standard since 1976. Used everywhere outside North America, in Japan (as JAN), and on books (ISBN-13). Structure, country codes, conversion.

What Is a 14-Digit Barcode?

A 14-digit barcode is a GTIN-14 — used on outer cases and shipping cartons for wholesale and supply-chain operations. Rendered as ITF-14 in retailer-compliant logistics labeling.

What Is an 8-Digit Barcode?

An 8-digit barcode is either an EAN-8 (international small-package format) or UPC-E (compressed US/Canada small-package format). Used on cosmetics, candy bars, and other products too small for a full UPC.

How to Make a Barcode: A Practical 4-Step Walkthrough

Make a barcode in under 60 seconds. Pick the format (UPC/EAN for retail, Code 128 for inventory, QR for URLs), enter the data, render at the right size, print at high contrast. Free online generator inside.

How to Scan a Barcode or QR Code with Your Phone

iPhone scans QR Codes natively via the Camera app since iOS 11. Android uses Google Lens or stock Camera. UPC, Code 128, Data Matrix need a third-party app. Step-by-step for every format and phone — and the 5 reasons scans fail.

UPC Check Digit Calculator and Formula

The UPC check digit is the 12th digit, computed from the first 11 using GS1's Mod 10 formula. Here is the formula, three worked examples, and how to compute it by hand — or instantly via our generator.

Barcode Size and Placement: How to Get a Reliable Scan Every Time

Where to place barcodes on packaging, minimum size requirements per format, and how to ensure your UPC/EAN/QR scans reliably on every retailer's scanner.

Where to Buy UPC Codes

Two ways to buy UPC codes in 2026: directly from GS1 (the only path that passes Amazon/Walmart verification) or from third-party resellers (cheaper but increasingly rejected). Pricing, tradeoffs, and which to choose.

How Much Does a UPC Cost?

GS1 US 2026 UPC pricing: $30 one-time for 1 GTIN (no annual fee), $250+$50/yr for 10, $750+$150/yr for 100. Plus reseller alternatives, international pricing, and total cost of ownership.

What Is a GS1 Company Prefix? Your Brand's Barcode Foundation

A GS1 Company Prefix is the unique number GS1 assigns to your brand — the foundation of every authorized UPC, EAN, and GTIN barcode. Learn pricing, capacity, and how to apply.

Amazon FBA Barcode Requirements: UPC, FNSKU, and Everything You Need (2026)

Amazon FBA requires UPC + FNSKU labels on every unit. Learn the 2026 barcode requirements, label specs, GTIN exemption process, and how to print compliant FBA labels.

Walmart UPC Requirements: GS1 Compliance for Marketplace, Vendors & Retail Link

Walmart requires GS1-issued UPCs on every product — resold UPCs are rejected. Learn Walmart Marketplace vs Retail Link requirements, ITF-14 case codes, and how to fix UPC rejections.

Amazon GTIN Exemption: How to Apply and Sell Without a UPC

Amazon's GTIN Exemption lets eligible sellers list without UPCs. Learn who qualifies (handmade, custom, brand-registry), the application process, and common rejection reasons.

DSCSA Serialization: 2026 Requirements, Deadlines, and Implementation

DSCSA requires unit-level serialization on all prescription drugs in the US. Learn 2026 deadlines, Stabilization Period rules, GS1 DataMatrix format, and EPCIS data exchange.

DSCSA Compliance in 2026: The Post-Stabilization Checklist

DSCSA is fully enforced as of May 28, 2026. Here is the post-Stabilization compliance checklist for manufacturers, repackagers, wholesalers, dispensers, and 3PLs — plus exemptions, penalties, and how to verify your trading partners.

Aztec Barcode: The 2D Format You Scan at the Airport

Aztec is a high-density 2D matrix barcode used on airline boarding passes, train tickets, healthcare ID cards. No quiet zone required, works damaged or low-contrast. Learn structure, capacity, and when to use it.

PDF417 Barcode Explained

PDF417 is a stacked linear 2D barcode that holds up to 1.8KB of binary data. Used on US driver's licenses (AAMVA standard), DHL shipping labels, and FedEx waybills. Learn the structure and how it differs from true 2D codes.