UPC & EAN bar code software

UPC barcodes & EAN barcodes

UPC barcodes are the type of barcode scanned by a cash register. Learn more about UPC barcodes by reading this UPC FAQ. This is another UPC barcode web site.

All UPC barcodes are based on an assigned company prefix together with a number that identifies the specific product. In addition to this 11-digit number, UPC barcodes include a check digit. The UPC check digit calculation is explained here.

UPC barcodes are of a fixed length and format. They are a numeric-only barcode symbology used in in throughout the retail channel. UPC, EAN, and JAN bar codes are scanned at the checkout line as part of POS systems. UPC bar codes uniquely identify consumer items throughout the supply chain.

UPC version A and UPC version E bar codes are used in the US and Canada. EAN-8 and EAN-13 bar codes are used international with the exception of JAN-8 and JAN-13 which are used in Japan. ISBN-13 barcodes (the old Bookland barcode) are based on ISBN numbers and are found on books. ISSN bar codes are used on periodicals especially academic and international publications.

UPCTools is a bar code font package that prints UPC, EAN, ISBN-13 (Bookland), and ISSN barcodes. You can read its documentation online as well as buy and download it online. Code 39 can be printed in Excel, Crystal Reports and other applications.

Information is available in other languages too. UPC barcode software (French), UPC barcode software (German), UPC barcode software (Spanish), UPC barcode software (Italian), UPC barcode software (Japanese), and UPC barcode software (Chinese).

GS1 is the standards body that administers UPC and EAN barcodes worldwide. The UPC/EAN specification can be purchased from AIM Global and from GS1.

The best way to keep up on barcodes is to read the Bar Code Nerds blog. Fun, informative, quirky, and largely true.