UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode is a type of barcode system that is widely used in the United States and some other countries for labeling and tracking retail products. The UPC barcode system was originally developed in the 1970s by the Uniform Product Code Council and is now managed by GS1 US, a not-for-profit organization that manages global standards for various industries.

UPC barcodes consist of a series of vertical bars and spaces, with a unique 12-digit number assigned to each product. The barcode is scanned using a barcode reader, which reads the bars and spaces and converts them into a digital code that can be used to look up product information in a database.

UPC barcodes are used by retailers to track inventory, automate the checkout process, and ensure that the correct price is charged for each item. They are also used by manufacturers to identify their products and track them through the supply chain.

There are two types of UPC barcodes: UPC-A and UPC-E. The UPC-A barcode is the most common and is used for retail products sold worldwide, while the UPC-E barcode is used for smaller products that do not have enough space for the larger UPC-A barcode. The UPC-E barcode is a compressed version of the UPC-A barcode and has a shorter 6-digit code.