What is the difference between an MPN and a GTIN?

A GTIN is globally unique on its own because it is issued under a licensed GS1 prefix. An MPN is assigned by the manufacturer and is only unique when combined with the brand name. They serve different but complementary roles.

Is an MPN the same as an SKU?

No. An MPN is set by the manufacturer and is shared by everyone selling that part. An SKU is your own internal code that you assign for your own stock management, and it differs from seller to seller.

Can I use an MPN instead of a GTIN?

Sometimes. Platforms like Google Shopping accept brand plus MPN for products that genuinely have no GTIN. But where a marketplace mandates a GTIN, the MPN does not replace it.

Where do I find a product's MPN?

The MPN is usually printed on the product packaging, label, or spec sheet, and is listed in the manufacturer's catalogue or technical documentation.

Glossary

MPN

Manufacturer Part Number

An MPN (Manufacturer Part Number) is the identifier a manufacturer assigns to one of its products or parts. Unlike a GTIN, it is not globally unique on its own — it is only meaningful in combination with the brand name.

Last updated: June 2026

Key facts

An MPN is assigned by the manufacturer, not by GS1, and has no fixed format or length.
An MPN is only unique when paired with the brand — two different brands can use the same part number.
MPNs are widely used for spare parts, electronics, and components that may not carry a GTIN.
Google Shopping and some marketplaces accept brand plus MPN as an identifier when no GTIN exists.

What an MPN is

A Manufacturer Part Number is the reference a manufacturer uses to catalogue its own products. It often appears on the packaging, in spec sheets, and in spare-parts diagrams. Unlike a GTIN, there is no central authority and no fixed format: an MPN can be any mix of letters, numbers, and symbols the manufacturer chooses, such as "A1502" or "WH-1000XM5".

Crucially, an MPN is not globally unique by itself. Two unrelated manufacturers could each issue a part numbered "100". An MPN only becomes a reliable identifier when combined with the brand name — the pairing of "Brand X + part 100" is what points to a specific product. This is the key difference from a GTIN, which is unique on its own because the GS1 prefix is licensed to a single company.

MPN vs GTIN and when each is used

A GTIN is the preferred identifier for finished retail goods because it is globally unique and machine-verifiable. An MPN is most useful for products that are sold by part — components, replacement parts, industrial supplies, and electronics accessories — where buyers actively search for the exact part number.

In e-commerce data feeds, the two often work together. Google Shopping, for example, asks for a GTIN where one exists, but will accept a combination of brand and MPN for products that legitimately have no barcode, such as custom or made-to-order parts. The MPN helps the platform group identical items from different sellers even when no GTIN is present.

Using MPNs in your listings

When you sell branded products, include the MPN in your listing alongside the GTIN. Buyers searching for a specific spare part frequently type the exact MPN into a marketplace search box, so having it in your title or attributes improves discoverability for those high-intent queries.

For private-label sellers, you can assign your own internal part numbers, but be aware these only carry weight when paired with your brand. The MPN does not replace a GTIN where the marketplace requires one — it complements it. Keep your MPN, GTIN, and internal SKU mapped together so that product data stays consistent across every channel you sell on.

Example

A laptop charger might carry the brand "Acme" and MPN "PA-1650-02". On its own, "PA-1650-02" is ambiguous, but "Acme PA-1650-02" uniquely identifies that exact part — and a buyer searching the MPN expects to find precisely that replacement charger.

Why it matters for marketplace sellers

Buyers of spare parts and accessories often search by exact MPN, so including it improves visibility for high-intent queries.
Where a product has no GTIN, platforms like Google Shopping accept brand plus MPN as an identifier, keeping such items eligible for listing.
An MPN groups identical offers from different sellers, helping marketplaces match your listing to the right catalogue entry.
Always pair the MPN with the brand and, where required, a GTIN — the MPN alone is not a substitute for a barcode.