GS1-GTIN-12

12-digit US UPC-A barcode.

Definition

GTIN-12: 1 digit Number System (0=GS1 US/CA, 2=variable weight, 3=pharma, etc.) + Company Prefix + Item Reference + 1 check digit. Sunrise 2005 aligned US checkouts to read GTIN-13.

Origin

Invented in 1973 by George Laurer at IBM, first UPC scanned on a Wrigley chewing-gum pack in June 1974 at a Marsh Supermarket in Ohio.

Example in context

A General Mills Cheerios pack: GTIN-12 = 0 + 16000 + 12345 + 6 (check).

Related terms

• GTIN-13 — European twin.