What do the numbers on barcodes mean?

🧾 First Things First: What Is a Barcode?

A barcode is a machine-readable code used to identify and track products. It contains a series of numbers and parallel lines (or bars) that scanners read to access information stored in a database.

The most common barcode you’ll see on products is the UPC (Universal Product Code) or EAN (European Article Number). Each has its own numbering format — but both follow a clear structure.

🔍 Understanding the Numbers in a Standard UPC Barcode (12 Digits)

Let’s take an example barcode number:
0 12345 67890 5

Here’s what each part means:

1️⃣ Number System Digit (First Digit)

“0” in this case

• Identifies the type of product or special function
• For example:
  • 0, 1, 6, 7, 8 – Standard products
  • 2 – Store-use items (like weighed meat or produce)
  • 3 – Pharmaceuticals
  • 5 – Coupons
  • 4 – Store-specific items (non-standard)

2️⃣ Manufacturer Code (Next 5 Digits)

“12345” in our example

• Assigned to a manufacturer or company
• Identifies who made the product
• This part stays the same for all items from that brand

3️⃣ Product Code (Next 5 Digits)

“67890” in this case

• Assigned by the manufacturer
• Identifies the specific product (e.g., the difference between a 12 oz and 20 oz bottle)

4️⃣ Check Digit (Last Digit)

“5” here

• A mathematical calculation used to verify that the barcode has been scanned correctly
• It helps prevent errors in checkout and inventory systems

🌍 EAN (European Article Number): Slightly Different Format

The EAN-13 barcode, common outside the U.S., has 13 digits:
Example: 590 12345 67890

• The first 2–3 digits identify the country where the manufacturer is registered (e.g., 590 = Poland, 890 = India, 500 = UK)
• The next digits represent the company and product codes
• The final digit is still a check digit

Note: This country code doesn’t always mean the product was made there — just that the company is registered in that country.

📘 What About ISBN Barcodes on Books?

Books use a specialized version called ISBN (International Standard Book Number):

• It includes:
  • Country/language group
  • Publisher
  • Title identifier
  • Check digit

Every version of a book (paperback, hardcover, different editions) gets its own unique ISBN barcode.

✅ Why Do These Numbers Matter?

Barcodes help retailers and manufacturers:

• Track inventory in real time
• Speed up checkout
• Reduce human error
• Identify recalls or expiration dates
• Streamline global shipping and logistics

They’re essential to modern commerce — and knowing how to read them gives you insight into how products are made, tracked, and sold.

🧠 Quick Fun Facts:

• Barcodes were invented in the 1950s but became widely used in the 1970s.
• The first product ever scanned with a UPC barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum in 1974.
• Barcode systems have evolved into QR codes, RFID tags, and even smart labels used in logistics and healthcare.
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