SKU Generator
Create organized, consistent SKU systems for your products. Build a pattern once and generate SKUs in bulk.
Build SKU Pattern
SKU Best Practices
- • Keep SKUs short (8-12 characters ideal)
- • Use consistent patterns across all products
- • Include category, color, and size when applicable
- • Avoid special characters that may cause issues
- • Use leading zeros for numbers (001, 002)
- • Make SKUs easy to speak and type
Generated SKU
TSH-BLK-M-001Bulk Generate
SKU Format Examples by Industry
| Industry | Example Format | Sample SKU |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion / Apparel | CAT-BRAND-STYLE-COLOR-SIZE | TSH-NK-CREW-BLK-M |
| Electronics | BRAND-MODEL-STORAGE-COLOR | APL-IP15-256-BLU |
| Food & Beverage | TYPE-BRAND-FLAVOR-SIZE | COF-BLU-DRK-250G |
| Beauty / Cosmetics | CAT-LINE-SHADE-SIZE | LIP-GLO-RD01-4ML |
| Home & Furniture | CAT-MATERIAL-SIZE-COLOR | TBL-OAK-6S-NAT |
| Jewelry | TYPE-METAL-STONE-SIZE | RNG-GLD-DIA-7 |
Common SKU Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Including prices in SKUs: Prices change; SKUs shouldn't. Never put "$49" or "SALE" in a SKU.
- ✗Using special characters: Avoid @, #, %, &. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Some systems can't handle special characters.
- ✗Starting with numbers: Some inventory systems struggle with numeric-only SKUs. Always begin with letters for maximum compatibility.
- ✗Inconsistent formatting: Don't mix TSH-NK-001 with DRESS_ZARA_002. Pick one format and apply it to every product.
- ✗Making SKUs too long: TSH-NIKE-CREWNECK-VINTAGE-HEATHERGRAY-MENS-MEDIUM is hard to read and type. Abbreviate to 8-12 characters.
- ✗Using generic SKUs: "PROD-001" tells you nothing. Make SKUs meaningful so warehouse staff can identify products at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SKU?
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique alphanumeric code that identifies each product in your inventory. Unlike barcodes (used for scanning), SKUs are internal codes you create to track products, variants, and locations. Good SKUs make inventory management faster and less error-prone.
How should I format my SKUs?
A good SKU format is: Category-Brand-Product-Variant (e.g., SHT-NK-AIRMAX-BLK-10). Use 8-12 characters, avoid special characters and spaces, use hyphens as separators, and start with letters (not numbers). Keep it consistent across all products.
What should I include in my SKU?
Include information useful for picking and tracking: category, brand/vendor, product type, color, size, and location code if multi-warehouse. Avoid including price or season (they change). Example: DRESS-ZAR-MIDI-NVY-M = Dress, Zara, Midi style, Navy, Medium.
How many SKUs can I have in Shopify?
Shopify has no strict limit on SKUs. However, each product can have up to 100 variants. For large catalogs (10,000+ SKUs), consider inventory management apps. SKUs in Shopify are optional but strongly recommended for inventory tracking and fulfillment.
What is the difference between SKU and UPC/barcode?
SKUs are internal codes you create for your business - they can be any format. UPCs (Universal Product Codes) are standardized 12-digit barcodes used across retailers and required for selling on Amazon/Walmart. You need both: SKU for internal tracking, UPC for retail distribution.
