What is a SKU?
A SKU (stock keeping unit) is a code a business gives each product it sells, and each variant of it, so that stock can be counted, found and reordered without confusion. Unlike a barcode number such as a UPC, which is issued under a global standard, a SKU is your own: you decide what it looks like.
How the SKUs are built
- Each detail you enter becomes one part of the code: the product name, the category or brand, the colour or style, and the size.
- A name of several words is shortened to its initials, so “Steel Water Bottle” becomes SWB. A single word keeps its first letters, so “Apparel” becomes APP.
- Sizes and anything with a number in it, such as XL or 750ml, are kept whole.
- A running number at the end keeps every SKU unique, even when two products shorten to the same letters.
How to use the SKU generator
- Add your products, one per line, with whichever details set them apart.
- Choose the format: separator, letters per part, an optional prefix and the numbering.
- Copy the SKUs or download the full list as CSV to paste into your shop or inventory system.
Good to know
- Put the most general detail first, such as category, and the most specific last, such as size. Related products then sort together.
- Avoid the letters O and I next to numbers, and avoid spaces and special characters; they cause mistakes when codes are typed or scanned.
- Once a SKU is in use, do not reuse it for a different product, even after the first is discontinued.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a SKU and a barcode?
A SKU is an internal code you make up to organise your own stock. A retail barcode number such as a UPC or EAN is issued under a global standard so the same product is identified the same way in every shop. A SKU can be printed as a barcode for use inside your business.
How long should a SKU be?
Between 8 and 12 characters works well for most shops: long enough to carry meaning, short enough to read and type without errors.
Does every variant need its own SKU?
Yes. Each combination of size, colour or other option that you stock separately needs its own SKU, otherwise you cannot tell which variant sold or which is running low.