Make readable stock codes for every product and variant, ready to paste into your shop or spreadsheet.
Loading the tool…
How the SKUs are built
| Part | Example | From |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | NR | Northwood |
| Category | WLL | Wallets |
| Product | SLC | Slim Leather Card |
| Variant | BLC | Black |
| Number | 001 | Starting number |
Words are shortened by taking initials, or dropping vowels from single words, so codes stay short but recognisable.
SKU best practice
- Keep them short (8 to 12 characters is plenty) and use only capital letters, numbers and dashes.
- Don’t start with 0: spreadsheets often remove it.
- Never reuse a SKU, even for a discontinued product.
- A SKU is your own code. It’s different from a barcode (GTIN), which you buy from GS1.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SKU?
A stock keeping unit: your own code for each product and variant, used to track stock.
Is a SKU the same as a barcode?
No. Barcodes (GTINs) are global numbers from GS1; SKUs are your own internal codes.
Can I import them into Shopify?
Yes, copy the CSV and paste the SKU column into your product import file.
Is anything stored?
No, it runs in your browser.
Last updated: