UPC Definition
A Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12-digit numeric barcode standard used to uniquely identify a consumer product at the point of sale. It is the barcode printed on the packaging of most retail products sold in North America.
How does a UPC work?
A UPC encodes a company prefix assigned by GS1 and a product reference number assigned by the manufacturer. Together they form a globally unique identifier for that specific product. The barcode representation allows point-of-sale scanners to read the code and retrieve the corresponding product and price from a database.
How does UPC relate to GTIN?
UPC is one format within the broader GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) standard. A 12-digit UPC can be zero-padded to 14 digits to become a GTIN-14, making it compatible with international systems that use EAN-13 or other formats. In product data management, GTINs are the preferred identifier because they work across all markets.
