1d-retail
UPC-A (Universal Product Code) (UPC-A)
The foundational 12-digit barcode used for consumer merchandise in the United States and Canada since 1974.
Governing Specification: ISO/IEC 15420:2009 / GS1 US
Data Format & Required Fields
Encodes 11 data digits plus 1 modulo 10 check digit. Compatible subset of EAN-13 with leading zero.
Allowed Character SetExactly 11 or 12 numeric digits.
Payload Length Rule Exactly 12 characters
Required GS1 Structure Encodes standardized GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs). Unit-level and master packaging require primary identification (e.g. GTIN-14 or SSCC-18) combined with variable batch and serialization attributes for supply chain verification.
Check Digit / Checksum Rule Requires a verified modulo-10 check digit to prevent scanner misreads and data transposition errors. (Vision Scan automatically computes and verifies the check digit).
Example Valid Format
012345678905Industry Guidance & Practical Applications
- North American retail point-of-sale products
- US retail pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements
Packaging & Scanning Notes: Essential for US retail distribution. Commonly designated as GTIN-12; note that "EAN-12" is not a canonical format name.
Symbol Constraints & Label Guidelines
- Strictly 11 or 12 numeric digits.
- Cannot store serialized or lot information.