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SKU generator for product codes
Turn a product list into clean, consistent SKU codes with a naming scheme you can keep using.
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A SKU, or stock keeping unit, is the code a business gives each product and variant so it can be tracked in inventory. Paste your products one per line with their attributes, choose a format, and this SKU generator returns a table of unique product SKU codes, a key to every abbreviation and the rules of the scheme so you can keep adding products the same way.
What a SKU is and how it differs from a UPC
A SKU is an internal code. You make it up, you decide what it means, and it only needs to be unique inside your own business. A UPC or other GTIN barcode is different: it is a standardized number tied to a company prefix licensed through GS1, and it identifies the same product at every retailer. Many sellers use both - the barcode for scanning at checkout and marketplaces that ask for it, and the SKU for their own stock counts, picking lists and reports. This tool creates SKUs only and does not issue barcodes.
How to create SKU codes that stay readable
A useful SKU can be read by a person. The common pattern runs from general to specific: product type, then the attributes that separate variants such as color and size, then a sequence number. A blue large T-shirt becomes TSH-BLU-L-001. Keep codes short - 8 to 12 characters is a common guideline - and start with letters, because spreadsheets can drop leading zeros. Use capital letters, digits and hyphens only, with no spaces or other symbols that can break imports and barcode labels.
Mistakes to avoid in a SKU number generator scheme
Avoid characters that look alike, such as the letter O and zero or the letter I and one, since they cause picking and typing errors. Do not reuse a SKU from a discontinued product for a new one, or old sales records will point at the wrong item. Do not copy a supplier's or manufacturer's part number as your SKU, because it changes when you change supplier. Keep one code per word across the whole catalog, so blue is always BLU, and give every variant its own SKU.
Using the SKU generator
List each product on its own line with its attributes separated by commas, for example 'Hoodie, black, small'. Choose the category-attribute-sequence format, a short code with a numeric ending, or a brand prefix format, and add a prefix if your store uses one. The tool handles up to 15 products per run. Check the table for duplicates before loading the codes into your store or inventory system. When the codes are set, the Product Description Generator can help with the listing text.
Questions
Are SKUs the same in every store?
No. Each business creates its own SKUs, so the same product can have a different SKU at every seller. Barcodes such as UPCs are the codes that stay the same everywhere.
How long should a SKU be?
Short enough to read and type without errors. Between 8 and 12 characters is a common guideline, and most marketplaces and store platforms accept codes of that length.
Does every size and color need its own SKU?
Yes. Each variant you stock and sell separately needs a unique SKU, otherwise you cannot tell how many of each size or color you have.
Can I use only numbers?
You can, but letter codes are easier to read and avoid the problem of spreadsheets removing leading zeros. A mix of letters first and numbers last is the usual choice.
Is the SKU generator free?
Yes, it is free to use. It writes the codes from your list and does not connect to your store, so copy the table into your own system.