A SKU number is typically printed on a product’s packaging near the barcode, on the price tag, or on the product page of an online store. The exact spot depends on the type of product and where you’re looking, but once you know what a SKU looks like, it’s easy to pick out.
What a SKU Number Looks Like
SKU stands for “stock keeping unit,” and it’s a code that a retailer creates to identify and track a specific product. SKUs are alphanumeric, meaning they contain both letters and numbers, and they’re typically 8 to 12 characters long. A SKU for a medium blue t-shirt might look something like “TS-BLU-MED” or “APP4821BL.”
This is one of the easiest ways to tell a SKU apart from other codes you’ll see on packaging. A UPC (the standard barcode number) is always 12 digits and contains only numbers. A serial number is unique to each individual unit, while a SKU applies to every unit of the same product. If the code has a mix of letters and numbers and is roughly 8 to 12 characters, you’re almost certainly looking at a SKU.
On Product Packaging
The most common place to find a SKU is on the product’s packaging, usually printed above or near the barcode on the back or bottom of the box, bottle, or bag. Some products print the SKU on a separate sticker label rather than directly on the packaging itself. If there’s a barcode with a shorter alphanumeric code nearby (distinct from the longer, numbers-only UPC beneath the barcode lines), that’s your SKU.
On Price Tags and Shelf Labels
Retailers frequently print SKU numbers on price tags, especially for items like clothing and toys. Check the hang tag or the sticker tag on the product. For clothing, the SKU often appears on the tag attached to the garment rather than on the sewn-in care label.
In some stores, the SKU isn’t printed on the product at all. Instead, it appears on the shelf label where the product is displayed. Look at the small printed label on the shelf edge below the item. Along with the price, you’ll often see an alphanumeric code that the store uses internally to track that product.
On an Online Product Page
When you’re shopping online, the SKU is usually listed somewhere on the product page. Common spots include the product description area, a “details” or “specifications” tab, or near the product title. It may be labeled “SKU,” “Item #,” or “Model #” depending on the retailer.
Not every online store displays the SKU to customers. Some keep it as an internal code. If you can’t find it on the product page, try searching the retailer’s site using any identifying number you do have, or contact their customer service team with the product name and they can look it up.
On Receipts and Order Confirmations
Your purchase receipt, whether printed in-store or emailed after an online order, often lists the SKU next to each product description. This is especially helpful when you need to return or exchange an item. The SKU on the receipt tells the store exactly which product variant you bought, down to the size, color, or other attributes, so they can process the return without needing the original packaging.
Order confirmation emails and packing slips from online retailers work the same way. Look for a short alphanumeric code next to each line item in the order summary.
Why You Might Need to Find It
Most people go looking for a SKU because they need to reorder a product, check stock at a specific store, or handle a return. Searching a retailer’s website by SKU is often faster and more precise than searching by product name, since the SKU points to the exact variant you want. If you’re calling a store to ask whether something is in stock, giving them the SKU lets them check inventory instantly rather than guessing which version you mean.
Keep in mind that SKUs are created by individual retailers, so the same physical product may have different SKU numbers at different stores. If you found a SKU on one retailer’s website, it won’t work on another retailer’s site. The UPC, by contrast, stays the same everywhere, so use that code if you’re comparing the same product across multiple stores.