Free tool · no sign-up
SKU generator for Shopify stores
Type a product and its options to get a SKU for every variant, or drop in your Shopify product export and get it back with every empty SKU filled in. It runs in your browser, so your catalog never leaves your computer.
| Size | Color | SKU |
|---|---|---|
| S | Black | TS-CCT-S-BLC |
| S | White | TS-CCT-S-WHT |
| S | Navy Blue | TS-CCT-S-NVB |
| M | Black | TS-CCT-M-BLC |
| M | White | TS-CCT-M-WHT |
| M | Navy Blue | TS-CCT-M-NVB |
| L | Black | TS-CCT-L-BLC |
| L | White | TS-CCT-L-WHT |
| L | Navy Blue | TS-CCT-L-NVB |
| XL | Black | TS-CCT-XL-BLC |
| XL | White | TS-CCT-XL-WHT |
| XL | Navy Blue | TS-CCT-XL-NVB |
The SKU generator, in short
This free tool builds readable SKU codes from a product's type, name and options, such as TS-CCT-M-BLC for a black Classic Crew Tee in size M. It covers every combination of up to three options, keeps codes unique, and can fill the empty Variant SKU column of a Shopify product CSV for re-import. Everything runs in the browser and nothing is uploaded.
How each code is built
Each SKU is made of parts joined by your separator, always in this order. Turn parts on or off in the SKU rules above.
- 01
Prefix
An optional fixed code at the front, such as your brand or a supplier. Leave it empty if you sell one brand.
- 02
Product type
A short code for the kind of product, so T-Shirt becomes TS. Useful when you sort or count stock by category.
- 03
Product name
Several words become their initials (Classic Crew Tee is CCT). A single word keeps its first letter and its consonants, so Black is BLC.
- 04
Options
One part per option, in the order you list them. Short values such as XL or 32 stay as they are.
- 05
Running number
Optional. Adds 001, 002 and so on to each variant of a product, which helps when two variants would otherwise share a code.
Five rules for SKUs that last
- Start with a letter, not a zero. Spreadsheets drop leading zeros and turn 0012 into 12.
- Keep the parts in the same order on every product, so anyone on your team can read a code.
- Use letters, numbers and one kind of separator only. Spaces and symbols break imports and barcode labels.
- Never reuse a SKU, even for a product you've stopped selling. Old orders and reports still point to it.
- Leave price, season and stock level out of the code. They change, and the SKU shouldn't.
SKU, barcode, GTIN and MPN
A SKU is yours: you choose it and it only means something inside your store. A barcode, GTIN or UPC is a number registered with GS1 so the same product can be recognised by any retailer or marketplace. An MPN is the manufacturer's own part number. Shopify has separate fields for the SKU and the barcode, so you can keep both.
Once your variants are in order
Shoppers still ask which size runs small or which colour goes with what. Agentmatica answers those questions in the chat on your store from your own pages and live catalog, and adds the right variant to the cart on Shopify and WooCommerce. See how it works on Shopify
Common questions
What is a SKU?
A SKU (stock keeping unit) is a code you make up to identify one sellable item in your own stock. A t-shirt in size M and black gets one SKU, the same shirt in size L gets another. Unlike a barcode, nobody else assigns it, so you can build it from the things that matter to your store.
Does Shopify need SKUs?
No, the SKU field on a Shopify variant can be left empty. You'll want one once you count stock, work with a warehouse or 3PL, sell on more than one channel, or read sales reports by variant, because the SKU is what ties those records together.
Is my product file uploaded anywhere?
No. The generator runs in your browser. Your CSV is read on your own computer, the SKUs are worked out there, and the download is created there too. Your file and its contents are never sent to Agentmatica or anyone else, and nothing is stored.
Will it change SKUs I already have?
Not unless you ask it to. By default it keeps every SKU that's already filled in and only fills the empty ones. It also treats your existing SKUs as taken, so a new code never duplicates one you already use.
How long should a SKU be?
Short enough to read aloud and type without mistakes. Codes of about 8 to 12 characters are common. With 3 letters per part, this tool gives codes like TS-CCT-M-BLC.
Can I use it for WooCommerce or another platform?
Yes. Use "One product, every variant" to generate the codes and download them as a CSV, then paste them into your platform. Filling a whole export file in one go works with the Shopify product CSV format.
Turn shopper questions into orders.
Add your store, try the answers in your dashboard, and switch it on when you’re happy. Free plan, no card required.