Shopify SKU and barcode: how to set them up

Shopify SKU vs barcode: the short answer

A SKU (stock keeping unit) is an internal code. Shopify says you can use it to track inventory and report on sales. You choose it. A barcode identifies the product more widely, for example in the supply chain or on online marketplaces. Shopify says SKUs and barcodes are separate, and you can use both on the same product.

In Shopify POS, you can find a product by scanning or searching any of its barcodes, or its SKU.

How to add a SKU in Shopify

SKUs live on variants. A product with no variants has one SKU. A product with three sizes and four colors has 12 variants, so it needs 12 SKUs.

1. 1
   Go to Products and open the product.
2. 2
   Select the variant in the Variants section.
3. 3
   In the Inventory section, click SKU.
4. 4
   Enter the SKU and save.

You can also set SKUs when you create a product, or in bulk with the bulk editor or a CSV import (both below).

What Shopify says about SKU rules

• Unique. Shopify says each product and variant must have its own unique SKU. Duplicates can cause problems with third-party integrations and inventory tracking. Shopify shows a warning, which you can ignore for things like bundles.
• Short. Shopify suggests no more than 16 characters. A format of 4 to 8 characters can work for a smaller catalog.
• Letters and numbers. Use numbers, or numbers and letters. Avoid look-alikes such as 0 and O, or 1 and I.
• No special characters or spaces. Shopify says they can cause search problems. Dashes and underscores are fine for separating parts.
• Case-sensitive. ABC123 and abc123 count as different SKUs.

A simple SKU scheme

You don't need a tool for this. Pick a pattern, write it down, and apply it the same way every time. Shopify's own tips point the same way: short, no spaces, dashes to separate attributes.

A pattern that works for most small stores is category, product number, option codes:

• Keep the same number of characters in each part, so SKUs sort well.
• Never reuse a SKU, even after you delete a product.
• Don't put prices, dates or supplier names in it. Those change.
• Keep the list of codes (BLK, WHT, S, M) in one sheet.

Shopify barcode: formats and where to enter it

Enter barcodes in the Barcode field of the Inventory section. For a product with variants, Shopify says you add barcodes to each variant. Each product or variant can hold up to 20 barcodes, so codes from different suppliers or regions can sit side by side.

What Shopify does with barcodes

• A barcode registered with GS1 is set to the GTIN type automatically. If the product name and vendor don't match the GS1 listing, you see a warning.
• If a Custom barcode is a valid GTIN, Shopify suggests switching the type. You can accept or dismiss it.
• Some sales channels might require a GTIN before you can publish a product.
• Barcodes scanned with Shopify POS can be used to publish products on the Google & YouTube channel.

Don't invent a UPC or EAN. Real ones come from the manufacturer or from GS1. If you have no standard code, leave the barcode blank. Your SKU still tracks the variant.

Shopify bulk edit SKU and barcode

Shopify says you can add or change SKUs and barcodes in the bulk editor or with a CSV import. Use the bulk editor for a few dozen variants. Use a CSV for hundreds.

Always start from a fresh export so you get the current headers. Variant columns like SKU depend on the Option1 name and Option1 value columns. If those are missing, Shopify says it creates a new default variant and deletes the existing ones. Changing an option value deletes the old variant and creates a new one. For the full import steps, see the Shopify CSV import guide, or start from the free product CSV template.

The SKU column is for product data. To change stock quantities by CSV, use the inventory file instead. That's covered in how to import inventory to Shopify.

Supplier and marketplace SKUs when you import

Products you copy from a supplier or marketplace often carry the seller's SKU. Don't assume it fits your scheme. Two suppliers can use the same code for different items, and Shopify wants SKUs unique across your store.

• Check before you publish. Look at the SKU on each imported variant. Blank, duplicated or odd-looking codes are easy to fix at this stage.
• Replace with your own. Using your scheme means a dropped supplier doesn't break your reports.
• Keep the original. If you need the supplier code to place orders, store it in a sheet next to your SKU. Don't rely on memory.
• Keep barcodes honest. Copy a barcode only if it is the real code for that product.

With 1Click, you can edit the SKU per variant in the product editor before import, and use Apply to all to set it across variants. You still choose the SKUs yourself. 1Click doesn't generate SKUs or barcodes, and it doesn't sync stock after import.