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What Does UPC Mean? Digits, UPC-A, UPC-E, and EAN

A UPC is a product-identification system. Learn how the GTIN-12 number differs from the barcode symbol and what UPC-A and UPC-E mean.
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A Universal Product Code (UPC) is a retail product-identification system. In precise terms, the product identifier is a 12-digit GTIN-12, and the UPC-A barcode is the machine-readable symbol that carries it. People often call the number, the printed bars, or both a “UPC,” but they are not the same thing.

What does UPC stand for?

UPC stands for Universal Product Code. In everyday use, “UPC” may mean the product-identification system, the barcode printed on a package, or the digits printed beneath that barcode. To distinguish them, GS1 terminology calls the identifying data a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) and the machine-readable pattern a barcode symbol or data carrier.

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A scanner reads the barcode symbol; retail and inventory systems use the GTIN it represents to identify the trade item. The GTIN identifies an item, such as a product sold in a store or listed in an online marketplace. The barcode is the way that identifier is presented for scanning.

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How many digits are in a UPC?

A UPC-A symbol encodes a GTIN-12, which has 12 digits. The first 11 digits comprise the GS1 company-prefix and item-reference portions; the twelfth is a check digit calculated from the preceding digits. Those portions are assigned according to GS1 rules, so an arbitrary sequence of 12 digits is not necessarily a valid UPC.

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Tera Barcode Scanner Wireless 1D Laser Cordless Barcode Reader with Battery Level Indicator, Versatile 2 in 1 2.4Ghz Wireless and USB 2.0 Wired
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  • Plug and play with the USB receiver or the USB cable, no driver installation needed. Easy and quick to set up. Wireless transmission distance reaches up to 328 ft. in barrier free environment.
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What is the difference between UPC-A and UPC-E?

UPC-A and UPC-E are related barcode forms for representing eligible GTIN-12 values; they do not identify two different kinds of product number.

Form What it represents Symbol format
UPC-A The full GTIN-12 Standard UPC symbol
UPC-E An eligible GTIN-12, represented using zero suppression Compact symbol for packages with limited space

UPC-E is available only for eligible GTIN-12 values that begin with zero and meet defined zero-pattern rules. Its compact appearance does not make it an unrelated eight-digit GTIN: it is a shortened representation that can be expanded to the corresponding GTIN-12.

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WoneNice USB Laser Barcode Scanner Wired Handheld Bar Code Scanner Reader Black
  • Plug and play, This laser handheld barcode scanner has simple installation with any USB port and Ideal for businesses, shops and warehouse operations. Its function is unbeatable and easy to use, design is stylish
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux; works with Word, Excel, Novell, and all common software
  • Scanning Speed: 200 scans per second. Scanning angle: Inclination angle 55°, Elevation angle 65°. Operational Light Source:Visible Laser 650-670nm.
  • Decode Capability: Code11, Code39, Code93, Code32, Code128, Coda Bar, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, ISBN/ISSN, JAN.EAN/UPC Add-on2/5 MSI/Plessey, Telepen and China Postal Code,Interleaved 2 of 5, Industrial 2 of 5, Matrix 2 of 5, etc ; 300 configurable options for prefix, suffix and termination strings, support turn on/off the beep.
  • Color: Black. Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.6 x 6.1 inches. Type of Cable: 2M or 6ft straight cable. Shock: 1.5m drop on concrete surface. Regulatory Approvals: FCC CE.
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Is a UPC the same as an EAN barcode?

Not exactly. UPC and EAN commonly refer to different barcode forms that carry GTINs of different lengths. GTIN-12, commonly associated with UPC, has 12 digits; GTIN-13, commonly associated with EAN-13, has 13. GS1 describes GTIN-12/UPC as predominantly used in North America and GTIN-13/EAN-13 as predominantly used outside North America. These are patterns of common use, not geographic restrictions: GS1 intends all GTIN types for global use.

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NetumScan USB 1D Barcode Scanner, Handheld Wired CCD Barcode Reader (1)
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  • Supported 1D Bar Code - 1D Decode Capability: UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, ISSN, ISBN, Code 128, GS1-128, Code39, Code93,Code32, Code11, UCC/EAN128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Industrial 2 of 5, Codabar(NW-7), MSI, Plessey, RSS, China Post, etc.
  • Widely Use Range - This NetumScan Handheld USB barcode scanner can be used in supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse, library, bookstore, drugstore, retail shop for file management, inventory tracking and POS(point of sale), etc.
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Eyoyo Mini 1D Bluetooth Barcode Scanner
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  • Please Note: This scanner only supports printed 1D barcodes and does not support scanning any 1D codes or 2D QR codes from phone or computer screens or printed 2D QR codes; it is not compatible with square pos or square register systems
  • High Compatibility: The Eyoyo Bluetooth scanner seamlessly connects with laptops, PCs, POS systems, smartphones, tablets, iPhones, iPads, and other devices; It is compatible with common computer operating systems such as Windows XP/7/8/10/11, Mac OS, Linux
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NetumScan Desktop Barcode Scanner, USB QR Code Reader
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