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Shopify Barcode Generator — UPC, EAN & GTIN for Shopify Stores
Shopify stores use barcodes to identify products for inventory scanning, Google Shopping product feeds, Facebook Catalogue ads, and marketplace sync. This guide explains exactly how barcodes work in Shopify, how to add them to your products, and how to generate the barcode images for physical product labels.
Generate UPC-A (North America) Generate EAN-13 (International)
Each button opens the generator with the correct format pre-selected.
How Shopify Uses Barcodes
Shopify stores the barcode number in the Barcode field of each product variant. This number serves several purposes simultaneously: it identifies the product in inventory scanning workflows using a Shopify-compatible barcode scanner; it populates the GTIN field when you sync products to Google Shopping via the Google channel; it is used in Shopify's native POS (point-of-sale) system for checkout; and it appears on pick tickets and packing slips generated by Shopify.
Shopify accepts UPC-A (12 digits), EAN-13 (13 digits), EAN-8 (8 digits), and ISBN formats in the Barcode field. The field is free-text so Shopify does not validate the check digit — it is your responsibility to enter a valid, correctly formatted GTIN.
Adding Barcodes to Shopify Products
To add a barcode to a Shopify product: go to Products in your Shopify Admin, open the product, scroll to the Inventory section, and enter the barcode value in the Barcode (ISBN, UPC, GTIN, etc.) field. Click Save. For products with multiple variants (sizes, colours), each variant has its own Barcode field — each variant needs a unique GTIN.
To add barcodes in bulk, export your product catalogue as a CSV from Shopify Admin → Products → Export, fill in the Variant Barcode column in a spreadsheet, and reimport the CSV. BatchPrintGTIN's batch generator can generate all the barcode images from the same spreadsheet simultaneously.
Generating Barcode Images for Shopify Products
Shopify itself does not generate barcode images for your physical product labels — it only stores the barcode number in your product database. You need to generate and print the barcode images separately for your packaging, hang tags, and shelf labels. Use BatchPrintGTIN to generate UPC-A or EAN-13 barcode images from your product GTINs. Download as PNG for basic use or SVG for professional packaging artwork.
Shopify and Google Shopping — GTIN Requirements
When you connect Shopify to Google Merchant Center via the Google channel, Shopify automatically maps the Barcode field to the GTIN attribute in your Google Shopping product feed. Google uses the GTIN to match your products to its shopping knowledge graph. Products with valid GTINs receive richer listings, better visibility, and are eligible for more Shopping ad formats. Without a valid GTIN, products may not appear in Google Shopping at all in some categories.
Ensure your barcodes are GS1-registered numbers if you sell branded or private-label products on Google Shopping. Free-form numbers or third-party reseller codes may trigger GTIN validation warnings in Google Merchant Center.
Shopify POS Barcode Scanning
If you use Shopify POS in a physical retail location, staff can scan product barcodes at checkout using a Shopify-compatible USB or Bluetooth barcode scanner. The scanner reads the UPC or EAN from your product label, Shopify looks up the matching product by the Barcode field value, and adds it to the cart. This requires that the barcode number on your product label exactly matches the value stored in the Shopify Barcode field — use the same GTIN for both.
Shopify Inventory Counting with Barcodes
Shopify's Stocky app (for Shopify POS Pro) and third-party inventory apps support barcode-based stocktake counting. A staff member scans each product with a handheld scanner; the app records the count against the matching SKU. This is significantly faster and more accurate than manual counting. The barcode on the product must match the Shopify Barcode field exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy barcodes to use Shopify?
Only if you plan to sell through Google Shopping, sync to a marketplace, or use Shopify POS scanning. For a pure online store with no physical retail, barcodes are optional. For Google Shopping, GTINs are required for most product categories to achieve full listing eligibility.
Can I use the same barcode for the same product in different sizes?
No. Each size variant needs its own unique GTIN. In Shopify terms, each variant has its own Barcode field and each must contain a different number.
What format should I use for Shopify barcodes?
UPC-A (12-digit) for products sold primarily in North America. EAN-13 (13-digit) for international selling or Google Shopping product feeds targeting non-US markets.
Generate Shopify Barcodes Free