---
title: "SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)"
description: "A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique, internal alphanumeric code used by retailers and fulfillment providers to identify and track specific products within an inventory system."
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/sku-stock-keeping-unit/
lifecycle: live
dateModified: 2026-08-20T06:44:14Z
topics:
  - "Inventory Management"
---

# SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique, internal alphanumeric code used by retailers and fulfillment providers to identify and track specific products within an inventory system.

## What is a stock keeping unit (SKU)?

A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is a unique, internal alphanumeric code used by retailers and fulfillment providers to identify and track specific products within an inventory system. Unlike a UPC (Universal Product Code), which is standardized for external use across all retailers, a SKU is merchant-specific, allowing a business to customize its inventory architecture based on attributes like size, color, material, and warehouse location.

Back to the [full glossary](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/).

---

*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/sku-stock-keeping-unit/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/glossary/sku-stock-keeping-unit/) for AI/LLM consumption.*