UPC-A Barcode Generator — North American Retail GTIN-12
Validate 12-digit UPC-A codes, calculate check digits, and export clean print-ready vector barcodes.
Barcode Generator
Preview ↓Standard 12-digit point-of-sale barcode ubiquitous across North American retail.
SVG is recommended for physical printing. PNG is ready for digital usage.
Generated entirely in your browser without network requests. Renders standard symbology geometry locally — creating a barcode image does not issue, register, or license a GS1 identifier.
How to Use
- Enter your 11-digit payload to auto-calculate the 12th check digit, or enter a complete 12-digit GTIN-12.
- The tool automatically applies the official GS1 Modulo-10 check digit algorithm in real-time.
- If a check digit mismatch is detected, click 'Fix Check Digit' to adopt the mathematically correct code.
- Adjust sizing, height, margins, or colors under Appearance Settings if necessary.
- Click 'Download SVG' for vector packaging artwork or 'Download PNG' for digital records.
About This Format
UPC-A (Universal Product Code Type A, designated GTIN-12 by GS1) is the ubiquitous point-of-sale barcode standard throughout the United States and Canada. First scanned in 1974, UPC-A encodes exactly 12 numeric digits: a single-digit number system character, a 5-digit manufacturer code, a 5-digit product item code, and a final Modulo-10 check digit. Globally, UPC-A can be read by all modern EAN-13 scanners as an EAN-13 with a leading zero.
Validation & Technical Constraints
- Accepts exactly 11 numeric digits (payload) or 12 numeric digits (payload with check digit).
- Enforces the official GS1 Modulo-10 check digit calculation.
- Never silently renders an invalid check digit to avoid point-of-sale scanning rejections.
Examples
Complete 12-Digit GTIN-12
012345678905
11-Digit Payload (Check Digit Auto-Calculated)
01234567890
Frequently Asked Questions
UPC-A contains 12 digits and is primarily used in North America, while EAN-13 contains 13 digits and is the international retail standard. Because UPC-A is a subset of EAN-13 (prefixed with a leading zero), modern scanners worldwide can decode both interchangeably.
UPC-A uses the GS1 Modulo-10 formula: from right to left starting from digit 11, odd positions receive weight 3 and even positions receive weight 1. The sum is subtracted from the next higher multiple of 10.
Yes, provided the 12-digit UPC number itself is officially licensed to your brand by GS1 US or GS1 Canada. Our tool generates print-ready vector artwork from your number.
No. This tool generates a barcode image from a number you provide. It does not issue, register, or license a GS1 identifier.