A SKU, or stock keeping unit, is your own code for one thing you sell, down to the exact variant. A red medium T-shirt and a red large T-shirt have different SKUs. Customers rarely see it. It exists so you and your software can tell products apart.

Free SKU Generator – Easy Ventory

Q: How should I design my SKUs?

Keep them short, readable and consistent. Use only letters and numbers with a simple separator, no spaces, and never reuse a code. Build them from things that do not change, such as category, product, colour and size. Avoid putting prices or supplier names in them.

Q: Can I change my SKUs later?

You can, but it is painful. Every label, spreadsheet and supplier list that uses the old code has to change with it. It is much easier to decide the format first and keep to it.

Your products

Add one product per line. To give a product its own category or brand, add them after commas. Products

Category (for all products) Brand (for all products)

Variants

Separate with commas or new lines. Every combination gets its own SKU. Colours Sizes Other option (optional)

SKU format

Choose the parts and their order. Use the arrows to move a part.

Separator Prefix (optional)

Code length, numbering and more

Letters per part Shortening style Number digits Start numbering at

Numbering Use common short forms (Black → BLK, Large → L) Make repeated SKUs unique by adding a number

SKU questions, answered

What a SKU is, how to design a good one, and what to avoid.

What is a SKU?

A SKU (stock keeping unit, said "skew" or "S-K-U") is your own code for one thing you sell, right down to the variant. A red medium T-shirt and a red large T-shirt are two SKUs. Customers rarely see it. It exists so you, your staff and your software can tell products apart without relying on names.

What is the difference between a SKU and a barcode?

A SKU is a code you choose to identify a product in your own records. A barcode is a way of printing a code so a scanner can read it. You can print your SKU as a barcode, and Code 128 is a common choice, but they are not the same thing. Numbers like UPC and EAN are different again: they are standard product numbers issued through GS1, not codes you invent.

How should I design my SKUs?

Keep them short. Short codes are easier to read, type and fit on small labels.
Use letters and numbers only, with one simple separator. No spaces or special characters.
Be consistent. Pick the order of parts once and keep to it.
Use things that don't change, like category, product, colour and size. Don't put the price or the supplier in a SKU.
Never reuse a code, even for a product you've stopped selling.

Should my SKUs mean something?

A little meaning helps. A code like TOP-CNT-NIK-BLK-M-001 lets you guess what it is at a glance. But don't try to pack in everything, and don't rely on the meaning being right forever. The number at the end is what keeps each code unique, so keep it even if the other parts seem to say it all.

How long can a SKU be?

Some shop and accounting systems limit the length of a SKU, so check yours before you commit. Shorter is almost always better anyway: it is easier to read, easier to type and gives you a thicker, easier-to-scan barcode on a small label. We warn you when your codes get long.

Can I change my SKUs later?

You can, but it is a chore. Every label, spreadsheet and supplier list that uses the old code has to change with it, and old stock keeps the old labels. It is much easier to settle the format first. Try it with a few products, then generate the rest.

How do I turn my SKUs into barcodes?

Click "Make barcode labels from these". It sends your list to our free barcode generator as Code 128 labels, ready to print on a sheet of stickers. Your data stays in your browser the whole way.