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Build a Sample U.P.C. Barcode

Use your U.P.C. Company Prefix to create and view practice barcodes

The number in a U.P.C. barcode (called a GTIN®) is typically 12 digits long. This tool helps illustrate how you create a GTIN-12

  • It starts with your U.P.C. Company Prefix that was assigned to your company when it became a member of GS1 US. Your U.P.C. Company Prefix could be between six and ten digits long
  • The next one to five digits are for the item reference numbers that you will assign to your unique product variations
  • The 12th digit is called the check digit, which is calculated based on the other numbers in the GTIN-12 and ensures accuracy

     

Create Your GTIN-12

GS1 Company Prefix Certificate image

1. Find your GS1 Company Prefix Certificate to get your U.P.C. Company Prefix. Your company received this certificate when it became a member of GS1 US®.

If you don't have a copy of your GS1 Company Prefix certificate, you can log in to myGS1 US and view or download a copy.

2. Follow the instructions on the wizard below.

Now that you know how to create a GTIN-12, explore these resources for creating more GTIN-12s and U.P.C. barcodes:

  • GS1 Foundations Online Certificate Course – Our online or virtual classroom course offers education that will help you learn product identification standards that result in trusted data for your trading partners and consumers.
  • Solution Provider Finder – Find a GS1 US Solution Provider to create your GTINs and barcodes for you
  • GS1 US Data Hub® | Product – Identify your products and create barcodes in a tool that backs up your product data in a secure environment. With GS1 US Data Hub | Product, you can create barcodes and manage and share your products. You currently need to be issued an annual GS1 Company Prefix to access GS1 US Data Hub | Product
  • Get Started Guide – Learn more about creating product identification, choosing the right barcode type, getting the barcodes on your products, and more
In this publication, the letters “U.P.C.” are used solely as an abbreviation for the “Universal Product Code”, which is a product identification system. They do not refer to the UPC, which is a federally registered certification mark of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to certify compliance with a Uniform Plumbing Code as authorized by IAPMO.