What Is a UPC?

• UPC-A (GTIN-12) is the primary GS1-compliant barcode format used in the United States and Canada.
• UPC and EAN formats function the same way, with the main difference being digit length—UPC has 12 digits, EAN has 13.
• UPC-A originated in the 1970s under the UCC, now known as GS1, and remains the standard for North American retail.
• GTIN-12 is the modern GS1 term that classifies the UPC numerically within the global GTIN system.

UPC (or UPC-A) stands for “Universal Product Code.” It was created in the 1970s for the UCC (Uniform Code Council), which later became GS1. The format is now technically referred to as “GTIN-12: Global Trade Identification Number.” This numbering system is the standard for retail products in the United States and Canada.

How is a UPC different from an EAN?

UPCs and EANs issued through GS1-USA are functionally identical except for digit length. A UPC contains 12 digits, while an EAN contains 13 digits. Both formats encode GS1-compliant product identifiers and are accepted by major marketplaces and retailers.

What does a UPC look like?

Below is an example of a UPC (GTIN-12) barcode image.