UPC-A
The original 12-digit retail barcode of the United States and Canada, and direct ancestor of EAN-13.
UPC-A Specification
| Character set | Digits 0-9 only |
| Data length | Exactly 12 digits (11 data + 1 check) |
| Check digit | Mandatory Mod 10 check digit |
| Density | 95 modules total; 12 digits fixed capacity |
| Module width (X-dimension) | Nominal 0.33 mm X at 100% magnification |
| Print ratio | Variable-width bars and spaces |
| Magnification | 80%-200% of nominal |
| Quiet zone | 9X on each side |
| Standard | GS1 General Specifications; symbology basis ISO/IEC 15420 |
| Origin | George Laurer, IBM (for the Uniform Product Code Council), 1973 |
| Sample data | 123456789012 |
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What Is UPC-A?
UPC-A (Universal Product Code, version A) is the 12-digit retail symbology introduced by the US grocery industry in 1973 and scanned at retail ever since. The number comprises a leading digit indicating the packaging type or numbering system, a company prefix and item reference, and a Mod 10 check digit. The symbol spans 95 modules — identical in geometry to EAN-13 — and every UPC-A can be represented as an EAN-13 by prepending a zero.
Historically UPC-A drove the first mass adoption of barcode scanning (the famous first scan: a pack of Wrigley chewing gum in 1974). Today GS1 treats UPC-A data as a GTIN-12 within the same global numbering system as EAN, so the two symbologies and their databases are fully interoperable.
Common Applications
- Retail point-of-sale scanning in the US and Canada
- GTIN-12 product identification in GS1 databases
- North American grocery, drug, and mass-merchandise supply chains
Related Barcode Types
The zero-suppressed compressed UPC for small packages — 8 printed digits that expand to a full 12-digit UPC-A.
The 13-digit retail point-of-sale barcode used on consumer products worldwide outside North America.
A 5-digit add-on barcode printed beside EAN-13/UPC on books and magazines, typically carrying price.
UPC-A FAQ
What is the difference between UPC-A and EAN-13?
Only the number length and region of original assignment. UPC-A holds 12 digits and was issued by GS1 US; EAN-13 holds 13 digits and was issued elsewhere. A UPC-A with a leading 0 added is a valid EAN-13 — the bar patterns for such a pair are the same symbol. Choose UPC-A for legacy US systems, EAN-13 elsewhere.
What does the first digit of a UPC-A mean?
It is the numbering system digit: 0 and 7 are regular UPCs (now regular GS1 numbers), 2 identifies random-weight items priced at the store, 3 marks pharmaceutical National Drug Codes, 4 is for in-store use, and 5 is used with coupons. The vast majority of product UPCs start with 0, 7, or another GS1-assigned prefix.