UPC (Universal Product Code)[Also known as the GTIN-12]

How to format a UPC

Format of GS1 standards• All GS1 numbers (UPC, GTIN, SSCC, GLN)

essentially have 3 parts:– Company Prefix = a number assigned and managed by GS1

that uniquely identifies a company from any other company across the globe.

– Reference Number = assigned by the owner of the Company Prefix to identify what is being numbered (e.g. a pallet, a case, an item, a location, etc.)

– Check Digit = an algorithm that serves as a “checks and balances” to ensure preceding digits were entered correctly.

NOTE: All three parts must not be separated in order to maintain uniqueness

GS1 Data Structures

Company Prefix

Reference Number

Check Digit

Indicator

Used For

X

X

X

X

X

XX

X

X

X X

XX

XItem/CaseItem LocationPallet

UPC12 digits

GTIN14 digits

SSCC18 digits

GLN13 digits

NOTE: The Company Prefix can vary from 6 digits to 9 digits. As such, the reference # will also vary depending on the size of the Company Prefix.

U.P.C. Diagram

Position

Position 2 - 12 = Combination of Company Prefix and Item # Company Prefix assigned by GS1

Item # assigned by owner of Company Prefix

Position 1 = Check Digit Algorithm to serve as a “checks and balances” to ensure

preceding digits are accurate

1 2 D I G I T S L O N G

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

 IF   Length of Company Prefix    THEN    Length of Reference Number                       ###### = 6 digits                        ##### = 5 digits                       ####### = 7 digits                          ####  = 4 digits                       ######## = 8 digits                          ###   = 3 digits                       ######### = 9 digits                          ##   = 2 digits* It is for this reason that the Company Prefix is said to be “variable-length”.

Example: ITEM (U.P.C.) assignment

ITEM 1 ITEM 2 ITEM 3

COMPANY PREFIX REFERENCE # CHECK DIGIT

ITEM 1

ITEM 2

ITEM 3

614141

614141

614141

00001

00002

00003

6

3

9

614141 614141 61414100001 00002 000036 3 9

NOTE: Company Prefix can vary from 6 to 9 digits

Example of a U.P.C. (item level)

Company Prefix Reference Number(i.e. Item Number)

Check Digit

NOTE: The Company Prefix can vary from 6 digits to 9 digits. As such, the reference # will also vary depending on the size of the Company Prefix.