UPC barcode software

UPC barcodes are the barcodes found on packages and scanned at the cash register. Learn more about UPC barcodes by reading this UPC FAQ as well as this UPC FAQ too.

All UPC barcodes have three sections: an assigned company prefix, a number that uniquely identifies the specific product, and a check digit. The company prefix and item number total 11 digits in length. The UPC check digit is the 12th digit in the lower right corner of the barcode.

UPC barcodes are of a fixed length (12 digits) and standardized format. UPC (Uniform Product Code), EAN (European Article Number), and JAN (Japanese Article Number) bar codes are scanned by cash registers at the checkout line as part of a store's POS system. 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 used on books. ISSN bar codes are found 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. I think...