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Barcode Technology - UPC-A
Barcode
Hide the description |
The Universal Product Code (UPC)
is a barcode symbology that is
widely used in the United
States, Canada, Europe,
Australia, New Zealand, and
other countries for tracking
trade items in stores. |
Valid characters:
0123456789 |
UPC-A is one of the many
barcode formats currently in
use. |
A Barcode is a method of
representing data in a visual,
machine-readable form. |
The barcode formats has two
categories: |
One-dimensional (1D) ---
Barcodes represented data by
varying the widths and spacings
of parallel lines. |
Two-dimensional (2D) --- Using
rectangles, dots, hexagons and
other geometric patterns to
represented data. |
UPC-A is 1D barcode.
The structure of the UPC A code
is as follows:
The first digit of the UPC A
code says what the code
contains:
0 - normal UPC Code
1 - reserved
2 - articles where the price
varies by the weight:
for example meat. The code is
produced in the store and
attached to the article.
3 - National Drug Code (NDC) and
National Health Related Items
Code (HRI).
4 - UPC Code which can be used
without format limits
5 - coupon
6 - normal UPC Code
7 - normal UPC Code
8 - reserved
9 - reserved
UPC-A has 12 digits. |

The next 5 digits show
the producer of the
article (UPC ID number).
This number is issued by
the Uniform Code Council
(UUC), 7051 Corporate
Way - Suite 201, Dayton,
OH 45359-4292, USA
>The seventh to eleventh
digits show the
individual article
number issued by the
producer.
The last digit is the
check digit. This one is
calculated by the
barcode generator
program automatically. |
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UPC-A consists of 12 numeric
digits that are uniquely
assigned to each trade item. It
is also called UPC 12 and is
very
similar to the EAN code. Along
with the related EAN barcode,
the UPC is the barcode mainly
used for scanning of trade items
at the point of sale, per GS1
specifications. UPC data
structures are a component of
GTINs and follow the global GS1
specification, which is based on
international standards. But
some retailers (clothing,
furniture) do not use the GS1
system (rather other barcode
symbologies or article number
systems). On the other hand,
some retailers use the EAN/UPC
barcode symbology, but without
using a GTIN (for products sold
in their own stores only). |
UPC-A is a subset of EAN-13; in
reality, an UPC-A bar code is an
EAN-13 bar code with the first
EAN-13 number system
digit set to "0". This means
that any hardware or software
capable of reading EAN-13 is
automatically capable of reading
UPC-A. |
NOTE: The UCC Council has
announced that as of January 1,
2005, all products must be
labeled with EAN-13. More
correctly said, all decoding and
related database systems must be
able to handle EAN-13 by this
date. Thus when developing your
system it is best to implement
EAN-13. By implementiong EAN-13
you will automatically be
implementing UPC-A, but will be
ready when the transition to
EAN-13 is complete at the
beginning of 2005. |
Formatting: UPC-A barcodes can
be printed at various densities
to accommodate a variety of
printing and scanning
processes.The x-dimension for
the UPC-A at the nominal size is
0.33 mm (0.013"). Nominal symbol
height for UPC-A is 25.9 mm
(1.02"). The bars forming the S
(start), M (middle), and E (end)
guard patterns, are extended
downwards by 5 times
x-dimension, with a resulting
nominal symbol height of 27.55
mm (1.08"). This also applies to
the bars of the first and last
numerical digit of UPC-A
barcode. UPC-A can be reduced or
magnified anywhere from 80% to
200%.A quiet zone, with a width
of at least 9 times the
x-dimension, must be present on
each side of the scannable area
of the UPC-A barcode. |
Numbering of UPC-A :
(10
possible values per left digit ^
6 left digits) ¡Á (10 possible
values per right digit ^ 5 right
digits) = 100,000,000,000. |
Check digit calculation:
The UPC includes a check digit
to detect common data entry
errors.
The UPC-A check digit may be
calculated as follows:
Sum the digits at odd-numbered
positions (first, third,
fifth,..., eleventh).
Multiply the result by 3.
Add the digit sum at
even-numbered positions (second,
fourth, sixth,..., tenth) to the
result.
Find the result modulo 10 (i.e.
the remainder, when divided by
10) and call it M.
If M is zero, then the check
digit is 0; otherwise the check
digit is 10 − M.
For example, in a UPC-A barcode
"03600029145x12", where x12 is
the unknown check digit, x12 may
be calculated by:
Sum the odd-numbered digits (0 +
6 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 5 = 14).
Multiply the result by 3 (14 ¡Á 3
= 42).
Add the even-numbered digits (42
+ (3 + 0 + 0 + 9 + 4) = 58).
Find the result modulo 10 (58
mod 10 = 8 = M).
If M is not 0, subtract M from
10 (10 − M = 10 − 8 = 2).
Thus, the check digit x12 is 2.
UPC-A can detect 100% of single
digit errors. |
Variations:
UPC in its most common usage
technically refers to UPC-A.
Other variants of the UPC exist:
UPC-B is a 12-digit version of
UPC with no check digit,
developed for the National Drug
Code (NDC) and National Health
Related Items Code.[failed
verification] It has 11 digits
plus a 1-digit product code, and
is not in common use.
UPC-C is a 12-digit code with a
product code and a check digit;
not in common use.
UPC-D is a variable length code
(12 digits or more) with the
12th digit being the check
digit. These versions are not in
common use.
UPC-E is a 6-digit code, that
has its equivalent in UPC-A
12-digit code with number system
0 or 1.
UPC-2 is a 2-digit supplement to
the UPC used to indicate the
edition of a magazine or
periodical.
UPC-5 is a 5-digit supplement to
the UPC used to indicate
suggested retail price for
books. |
Human Readable:
Most barcodes display their
corresponding values below them,
which makes it possible to human
read and manually enter
the barcode values into the
equivalent system when the
barcode label is worn out and
cannot be read by the barcode
scanner. |
Advantages:
It's not required to label all
articles with the price. The
price is stored in the database
and can be accessed via the
barcode number. There is no need
to manually calculate the price
of the product. You only need to
use the POST system to scan the
EAN barcode on each product
purchased by a customer. Because
each product has its own unique
EAN number, the POST system can
get the corresponding price of
each product in the database and
calculate the total amount. It
is fast and safe because there
is no way to make a mistake.
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Frequently Asked Questions About UPC-A Barcode |
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What is the
origin and development process of UPC-A barcode? |
The UPC-A barcode
is a barcode symbol used to track items in stores and is only
used in the United States and Canada.
It consists of 12
digits and each product has a unique code. It was formulated by
the United States Uniform Code Council in 1973, jointly
developed with IBM, and has been in use since 1974.
It was the first
barcode system used in supermarket checkout, and the first item
marked with a UPC-A barcode was scanned at the checkout counter
at Troy¡¯s Marsh Supermarket. |
|
WWho developed
the UPC-A barcode standard? |
The UPC-A barcode
standard was developed in 19731 by IBM engineer George Laurer.
It is a barcode symbology system that is widely used worldwide
to track trade items in stores. It consists of a 12-digit number
uniquely assigned to each trade item.
The main reason
for developing this standard is to improve the efficiency and
accuracy of retail store checkout systems. Before UPC-A, most
products were entered manually by cashiers, which was slow and
error-prone.
Using UPC-A,
products can be automatically scanned and matched with correct
price and inventory information. This also helps retailers
manage their supply chains and marketing strategies more
effectively.
|
|
What are the main
application scenarios of UPC-A barcodes? |
UPC-A barcodes
are primarily used in the retail industry in the United States
and Canada.
The reason why
UPC-A barcodes are used in supermarkets is that it can quickly,
accurately and conveniently identify product information, such
as price, inventory, sales volume, etc.
The UPC-A barcode
consists of 12 digits, of which the first 6 digits represent the
manufacturer code, the last 5 digits represent the product code,
and the last digit is the check digit.
In this way, as
long as we scan the barcode at the supermarket checkout counter,
we can quickly obtain the product price and inventory
information, which greatly improves the work efficiency of
supermarket salespeople. |
|
How to apply for
UPC barcode in the United States? |
In the United
States, the agency you should apply for UPC barcodes from is GS1
US. It is an official provider of U.P.C. US barcodes and GTINs.
You can apply online at www.gs1us.org.
Alternatively,
you can use an authorized barcode reseller such as
www.barcode-us.com, part of GS1 US.
However, there is
a difference between getting a barcode directly from GS1 US or
from a reseller.
The difference
between getting a barcode directly from GS1 US or from a dealer
is:
When you get a
barcode from GS1 US, you have your own unique ID number that is
registered to you in their GEPIR system. Some retailers require
this system under certain circumstances.
When you get a
barcode from a reseller, you don't own your own unique ID
number, and there's a risk that the prefix could be resold to
another company, causing confusion or errors. This option may be
cheaper and faster, but is less reliable and secure.
The GS1 company
prefix is the same as the U.P.C. company prefix, except that the
GS1 company prefix adds a zero at the beginning of the number.
This prefix is required when creating barcodes for your
products. |
|
What is the
difference between UPC-A barcode and EAN-13 barcode? |
The UPC-A barcode
is produced by the United States Uniform Code Committee and is
mainly used in the United States and Canada. The code length is
12 digits, and the first digit indicates the numeric system
code.
The EAN-13
barcode is developed by the International Article Numbering
Center and is universally used. The code length is 13 digits,
and the first two digits represent the country or region code.
The EAN-13
barcode has one more country/region code than the UPC-A barcode.
In fact, the UPC-A barcode can be regarded as a special case of
the EAN-13 barcode, which is the EAN-13 barcode with the first
digit set to 0. 13 barcodes.
The EAN-13
barcode is a superset of the UPC-A barcode and is compatible
with the UPC-A barcode.
The EAN-13
barcode and the UPC-A barcode have the same structure and
verification method, and both have grooves. |
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What is the
difference between UPC-A barcode and UPC-E barcode? |
Both the UPC-A
barcode and the UPC-E barcode are universal commodity barcodes,
but the UPC-A barcode is a standard code, while the UPC-E
barcode is a shortened code.
The UPC-A barcode
consists of 12 digits, and the UPC-E barcode consists of 8
digits.
The UPC-E barcode
is a compressed representation of the UPC-A barcode under
certain conditions to accommodate products of different sizes. |
|
Can UPC-A be
converted to EAN-13 barcode? |
Yes. UPC-A
barcodes can be converted to EAN-13 barcodes by adding a leading
0.
For example, the
UPC-A barcode 012345678905 corresponds to the EAN-13 barcode
0012345678905. |
|
What are the
advantages and disadvantages of UPC-A barcodes? |
Advantage:
It can improve
the efficiency and accuracy of commodity management, reduce
human errors and costs,
They have a check digit to prevent accidental errors, especially
when entering codes manually.
It's simple,
short, popular, and can be read by almost any standard barcode
reader.
It enables
businesses to control inventory easily, quickly and accurately
and save costs.
It can represent
12-digit information, including country code, manufacturer code,
product code and check digit.
Shortcoming:
They take up more
space than some other types of barcodes, such as UPC-E or QR
codes.
They can only
represent 12-digit numbers, not letters or other symbols. |
|
In what
industries are UPC-A barcodes most used? |
The UPC-A barcode
is designed to realize automatic identification and management
of goods. It is mainly used in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
Other countries and regions use EAN-13 barcodes. The difference
between them is that the EAN-13 barcode has one more country
code.
UPC-A barcodes
can be used for a variety of goods, such as food, books,
clothing, electronic products, etc. It can help merchants and
consumers quickly find the price, inventory, sales and other
information of the goods.
Some examples of
UPC-A barcode applications.
Retail products
in the United States that are required to carry a 12-digit
unique identifier.
Drug products
marked with UPC-A and GS1 Data Matrix for use at point of sale
(POS) and/or US FDA barcoding regulations.
Products that
require additional information such as issue number, weight, or
price using 2 or 5 digit extensions. |
|
How many types of
UPC-A barcodes are there? |
There are two
types of UPC barcodes: standard codes and shortened codes.
The standard code
contains 1 digit system character, 5 digits manufacturer code, 5
digits product code and 1 digit check code.
The shortened
code is the result of removing or compressing some numbers in
the standard code and can only represent 8 digits. |
|
Why design 2
types of UPC barcodes? |
The reason why
two types of UPC barcodes are designed is to accommodate
different sizes of merchandise.
Standard code is
suitable for larger products, and shortened code is suitable for
smaller products, which can save space and cost. |
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Why do the United
States and Canada use UPC-A barcodes and not EAN-13 barcodes? |
It is because
they early adopted the UPC-A barcode as the standard for product
barcodes.
The UPC-A barcode
was produced by the United States Uniform Code Committee. The
coding length is 12 digits and only supports 0-9. number. The
EAN-13 barcode was later developed by the International Article
Numbering Center. The code length is 13 digits and only supports
numbers 0-9, but it has an additional country/region code.
In fact, the UPC-A
barcode can be regarded as a special case of the EAN-13 barcode,
which is the EAN-13 barcode with the first digit set to 0.
Therefore, EAN-13
barcodes and UPC-A barcodes are compatible as long as the
scanning device can recognize both types of barcodes. |
|
Will the UPC-A
barcode be replaced by the EAN-13 barcode? |
At present, the
UPC-A barcode has not been completely replaced by the EAN-13
barcode, but with the development of international trade, the
use of EAN-13 barcodes is becoming more and more widespread. |
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