Difference Between UPC and SKU

While many use the terms “SKU” and “UPC” interchangeably, they are actually very different. First off, an SKU (stock keeping unit) is strictly for internal use. A UPC (universal product code) is affixed to a product wherever it is sold in the retail market place. An SKU is the smallest unit of product or service.

1. Is UPC the same as SKU?
2. Is item number the same as SKU?
3. Are barcodes and UPC codes the same?
4. What is a SKU number used for?
5. Is UPC code unique?
6. Can two products have same barcode?
7. How do I generate a SKU code?
8. How is SKU calculated?
9. Can I use someone else's UPC code?
10. What does a UPC code tell you?
11. Can I use UPC as SKU?
12. How do you get a UPC code?

Is UPC the same as SKU?

Since a SKU is unique to the company, the same product would have different SKUs if sold by different companies, but they would have the same UPC. Another difference is that SKUs are typically eight alpha-numeric digits, while UPCs are 12 digits, numeric only.

Is item number the same as SKU?

A Stock Keeping Unit, or SKU, is a specific product including all of its attributes. ... The product item number may then stay the same, but each color will have a different SKU. And just FYI, a SKU is visually represented by a Universal Product Code, or UPC, the barcode you see on products.

Are barcodes and UPC codes the same?

The UPC on a product typically appears adjacent to its bar code, the machine-readable representation of the UPC. A barcode (also bar code) is an optical machine-readable representation of the UPC 12-digit number that can be reproduced onto merchandise and retail products.

What is a SKU number used for?

A stock-keeping unit (SKU) is a scannable bar code to help vendors automatically track the movement of inventory. SKUs are also used for units of repair time units, services, and warranties. SKUs help vendors determine which products require reordering and provide sales data.

Is UPC code unique?

The UPC number is the twelve-digit number that runs along the bottom of the barcode and, as the name implies, is a universal number. That means anyone with a barcode scanner can read the number. It also means that the UPC is not unique to a store.

Can two products have same barcode?

This ID number is internal and unique for each company selling a product. While a product may have different SKUs, its UPC barcode remains the same no matter where it is stocked or sold.

How do I generate a SKU code?

How to Create Good SKU Codes

1. Make Your Own Product SKU Code. Try not to incorporate the manufacturer/wholesaler code within your product SKU code. ...
2. Decide What You Want Your Code to Say. Decide what information you want to access through the SKU code. ...
3. Use the Cascade Method. ...
4. Fonts and Characters.

How is SKU calculated?

To calculate the number of SKUs in your inventory, you will need to consider all of the different product variations you offer. This includes variations in color, size, price, and more. The number of SKUs in your online store will be equal to the number of product variations.

Can I use someone else's UPC code?

you can buy UPC codes and use them, there are many posts on here about UPC codes and where to buy them. Yes, the listing must match, in all respects, exactly.

What does a UPC code tell you?

It consists of two parts – the machine-readable barcode, which is a series of unique black bars, and the unique 12-digit number beneath it. The purpose of UPCs is to make it easy to identify product features, such as the brand name, item, size, and color, when an item is scanned at checkout.

Can I use UPC as SKU?

First off, an SKU (stock keeping unit) is strictly for internal use. A UPC (universal product code) is affixed to a product wherever it is sold in the retail market place. An SKU is the smallest unit of product or service. ... While many use the terms “SKU” and “UPC” interchangeably, they are actually very different.

How do you get a UPC code?

A typical process of obtaining a 12-digit UPC number is as follows:

1. License a unique Company Prefix from your local GS1 office.
2. Assign product number(s) to unique products making your number equal 11 digits.
3. Using a check digit calculator with your 11 digit number, generate your check digit.