What is SKU and barcode?
John Johnson
Updated on April 13, 2026
While stock keeping units or SKUs and barcodes are similar, they are not the same. A barcode is different from a SKU by the way it is assigned to a product—SKU numbers are unique to a business or seller, and barcodes should be assigned to all like products regardless of where they are sold.
What is SKU number in barcode?
SKU numbers (short for “stock keeping unit,” and pronounced “skew”) are alphanumeric codes used by companies to track units of products in inventory and products sold. SKU numbers can be assigned to physical products as well as intangible products that are billable, such as units of repair time or warranties.Can you use SKU as barcode?
Many people think you need to have a registered UPC code in order to scan items, but thankfully that's not true! Depending on your format, any alphanumeric SKU can be used as a barcode (What is a SKU number?).What is SKU example?
Businesses create different SKUs for its goods and services. For example, a store that sells shoes creates internal SKUs that show a product's details, such as color, size, style, price, manufacturer, and brand. For example, the SKU for purple Ugg boots in the Bailey Bow style, size 6, may read "UGG-BB-PUR-06."How do I find the SKU code?
Typically, SKU numbers are listed on the product's packaging — usually above the product's barcode, as seen below. While the 12-digit numeric code on the bottom is the product's UPC (Universal Product Code), the alphanumeric code at the top is the SKU number (which is different from the UPC).SFN: How to use barcodes & SKUs || Shopify Help Center
Do I need a barcode for my product?
Technically, there is no requirement that products must have barcodes unless you're selling at the wholesale level or you sell to large retailers.What does a SKU number look like?
A stock keeping unit, or SKU, is a number that is printed on labels in retail stores for stock keeping purposes. The code is made up of numeric or alphanumeric characters that are unique to each type of product that your business sells. The number of digits will vary, but typically remain around eight characters.Is SKU a serial number?
SKU vs serial numbersSerial numbers are not the same as SKUs. They are used to track the ownership information of an item and can also be used to track warranty information, unlike SKUs which allow retailers to keep track of each item of stock.
What is Amazon SKU?
In case you are new to this term, an SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit. It is an identification code which is used to track a product for inventory purposes. It sometimes provides details about a product such as colour, size, fit and other variations.How many numbers are in a SKU?
SKU stands for "stock keeping unit" and is a number that retailers use to differentiate products and track inventory levels. An SKU is typically eight alphanumeric digits long. Products are assigned different SKU numbers based on various characteristics, such as price, manufacturer, color, style, type, and size.How do you create a SKU?
How to Set Up SKU Numbers in 5 Steps
- Step 1: Start SKU Numbers With a Top-level Identifier. ...
- Step 2: Use the Middle Numbers to Assign Unique Identifiers. ...
- Step 3: Finish SKU With a Sequential Number. ...
- Step 4: Add SKUs to Your POS or Inventory Management System. ...
- Step 5: Create SKU Barcodes Labels.
How do I create a barcode for my product?
To create a barcode
- Select the barcode type: EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 39, or ITF.
- Fill in the product category information in the barcode data box.
- Click on the barcode title box and barcode note if you want to add them in the barcode.
- Add a name for the barcode in the title box and more details in the note box.