Receipt Abbreviations Decoded

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Receipt Abbreviations Decoded is a free online tool from ReceiptMaker.org. What do TC#, OP#, F, T, PLU, SKU and other receipt codes mean? Plain-English decoder for the abbreviations on store receipts, with examples. Use cases include replacing lost personal receipts, props for film/TV/social-media content, bookkeeping practice, and creative projects. Generated receipts are for personal records and novelty only — never for fraudulent returns or expense fraud. Available at https://receiptmaker.org

Receipt abbreviations are the short codes printers squeeze onto thermal paper to identify the store, register, cashier, items, and taxes on a transaction. They look cryptic, but nearly all of them fall into four zones: header codes (which store and register), line-item codes (what you bought), tax flags (which items were taxed), and footer codes (how you paid). This decoder covers the codes you'll actually see, zone by zone.

Header codes — which store, register, and cashier

• ST# / STR: store number — the chain's internal ID for that location
• REG# / TE#: register or terminal number that printed the receipt
• OP# / CSHR / ASSOC: operator — the cashier's employee ID
• TRN / TRANS#: transaction number, resets per register
• TC#: Walmart's transaction code — the long number under the barcode that Walmart's systems use to retrieve a purchase. See our Walmart receipt decoding guide for the full breakdown.

Line-item codes — what you bought

• QTY / EA / @: quantity, "each", and unit price (3 @ 1.99 = three units at $1.99)
• SKU: stock keeping unit — the retailer's own product ID, unique to that chain
• UPC: the barcode number on the product itself. A standard UPC-A barcode encodes a 12-digit GTIN-12, per GS1, the body that manages the standard — 11 digits of company prefix + item reference, plus a check digit.
• PLU: price look-up code on loose produce. Per IFPS, PLU codes are 4 or 5-digit numbers assigned in the 3000 and 4000 series — and a 5-digit code with a 9 in front of the 4-digit code means the item is organic.
• WT / LB: weighed item — shows weight, price per pound, and extended price
• DEPT: department code the item rings under

Tax flags — the letters after prices

• T / X: the item was taxable at the standard rate
• N: non-taxable item
• F: at many grocers, a food item — commonly taxed at a reduced rate or SNAP-eligible depending on the state
• TAX 1 / TAX 2 / TAX 3: separate tax rates itemized at the bottom — states tax general merchandise, food, and prepared food differently, so multi-rate receipts split them out

Footer codes — how you paid

• SUBTOT / TOT: subtotal before tax, and the final total
• TEND / CASH TEND: the amount you handed over
• CHG / CHANGE DUE: change returned
• AUTH / APPR CODE: the card network's authorization code for a card payment
• ACCT # ****1234: the last four digits of the card used — this is what retailer receipt-lookup systems match against
• REF#: reference number printed on refund/return receipts

Barcodes at the bottom

The bottom barcode usually re-encodes the transaction identifier (like Walmart's TC#) in CODE128 format, a variable-length barcode that can hold letters and numbers. Store systems scan it to pull up the exact transaction for returns. Our receipt generator renders scannable CODE128 barcodes and QR codes on every template.

Why the same code differs between stores

There is no universal receipt standard — each chain's point-of-sale system picks its own labels. One grocer's F is another's B; Target prints department + class digits ahead of the item ID, while Walmart prints the UPC. That's why decoding a receipt starts with identifying the store format. Our template library reproduces the exact layout of 100+ chains, which makes it a handy visual reference when you're trying to read a faded original.

Need to reconstruct a receipt you can't read?

If a thermal receipt has faded past legibility, you can rebuild a clean copy for your records: identify the store format, enter the items and totals you can still make out, and export a fresh PDF. Use the free receipt maker or start from the matching store template.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the F mean on a grocery receipt?

F flags a food item. Many grocery chains use it to mark products taxed at the state's reduced food rate or eligible for SNAP. The exact meaning varies by chain and state — check the tax summary at the bottom of the receipt to see which rate the item actually rang under.

What does T or X after a price mean?

The item was taxable at the standard rate. An N means non-taxable. Multi-rate receipts (TAX 1 / TAX 2 / TAX 3) itemize each rate separately at the bottom.

What is the TC# on a Walmart receipt?

TC# is Walmart's transaction code — the long number printed under the bottom barcode. It's the key Walmart's systems use to look up your purchase. Our Walmart receipt decoding guide covers it in detail.

What's the difference between a UPC and a SKU?

A UPC is the manufacturer's barcode number (a 12-digit GTIN-12 under the GS1 standard) — identical everywhere the product is sold. A SKU is the retailer's own internal product ID, unique to that chain.

Are PLU codes the same at every store?

Yes for produce — PLU codes are standardized by IFPS as 4 or 5-digit numbers in the 3000 and 4000 series, and a leading 9 marks organic. That's why 4011 is a banana at nearly any US grocer.

Can I recreate a faded receipt?

Yes — pick the store's template in our free generator, enter the items and totals you can still read, and download a clean PDF for your records. For warranty or return purposes, contact the retailer for an official reprint instead.