Chewy Decimal System

Organizing Every Grocery Like a Library

The Chewy Decimal System brings the familiar rigor of a library’s Dewey Decimal catalog to every grocery, making it easy for shoppers and employees alike to locate, classify, and expand every aisle. Think of it as the Dewey Decimal for Food.

Basics

What Is the Chewy Decimal System?

Inspired by Melvil Dewey’s approach to cataloging books, the Chewy Decimal System assigns every grocery aisle, sub-aisle, and product category a unique numeric “shelf number.” By following this system:

  • Shoppers can navigate any store layout as easily as browsing a library’s catalog.
  • Managers can standardize restocking, ordering, and training across all locations.
  • Developers can build digital tools—like mobile wayfinding, smart carts, or inventory APIs— on a universal codebase.

Detailed Classification

100 Pantry Staples
110 Grains & Pasta
111 Rice
112 Pasta & Noodles
113 Cereals
120 Canned & Jarred Goods
121 Soups
122 Beans & Legumes
123 Vegetables & Fruits (Canned)
130 Oils, Vinegars & Condiments
131 Cooking Oils
132 Vinegars & Dressings
133 Spreads & Sauces
140 Baking & Bulk Items
141 Flour & Baking Mixes
142 Sugars & Sweeteners
143 Nuts & Dried Fruits
144 Baking Ingredients & Decor
200 Snacks & Beverages
210 Sweet Snacks
211 Candy Bars
212 Cookies & Crackers
213 Chocolates & Truffles
220 Savory Snacks
221 Chips & Pretzels
222 Nuts & Seeds
223 Jerky & Dried Meats
230 Non-Alcoholic Drinks
231 Sodas
232 Juices
233 Bottled Water
234 Energy Drinks
240 Alcoholic Drinks
241 Beer
242 Wine
243 Spirits
244 Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
300 Household & Personal Care
310 Cleaning & Paper Goods
311 Laundry Detergents & Fabric Softeners
312 Dishwashing Soaps & Liquids
313 Household Cleaners
314 Paper Towels & Napkins
315 Toilet Paper & Facial Tissues
320 Personal Care & Health
321 Shampoo & Conditioner
322 Soap & Body Wash
323 Oral Care (Toothpaste & Mouthwash)
324 Skincare & Cosmetics
330 Pet Supplies
331 Dog Food
332 Cat Food
333 Pet Treats
334 Pet Grooming & Accessories
400 Fresh Produce
410 Vegetables
411 Leafy Greens
412 Root Vegetables
413 Cruciferous Vegetables
414 Fresh Herbs
420 Fruits
421 Citrus Fruits
422 Berries
423 Tropical Fruits
424 Stone Fruits
430 Herbs & Specialty Produce
431 Organic Produce
432 Microgreens & Sprouts
433 Specialty Mushrooms
500 Proteins & Dairy
510 Meat & Poultry
511 Beef
512 Pork
513 Chicken
514 Turkey & Other Poultry
520 Seafood
521 Fresh Fish
522 Shellfish
523 Smoked Seafood
530 Eggs & Dairy Alternatives
531 Eggs (Chicken, Duck)
532 Plant-Based Egg Replacements
540 Cheese & Dairy
541 Milk (Cow, Plant)
542 Yogurt & Kefir
543 Butter & Cream
544 Specialty Cheeses
600 Frozen Foods
610 Frozen Vegetables & Fruits
611 Frozen Vegetables (By Type)
612 Frozen Fruits (By Type)
620 Frozen Meals & Proteins
621 Ready Meals & Entrees
622 Frozen Pizza
623 Frozen Meat & Seafood
630 Desserts & Novelties
631 Ice Cream & Gelato
632 Frozen Desserts & Novelties
990 Services & Miscellaneous
991 Bakery & Fresh Baked
991.1 Bread Loaves
991.2 Pastries & Sweets
991.3 Cakes & Pies
992 Floral & Gifts
992.1 Fresh Flowers
992.2 Potted Plants
992.3 Gift Cards & Baskets
993 Pharmacy & Click-&Collect
993.1 Over-the-Counter Medications
993.2 Prescription Pickup
993.3 Health Consultations & Services

About the Creator

Hank Green

Hank Green is a lifelong bibliophile turned digital educator, best known for co-creating the Vlogbrothers channel and authoring bestselling books. With a passion for both organization and community, Hank developed the Chewy Decimal System to merge library-style cataloging with modern grocery workflows. His vision is a world where every shopper, whether in a supermarket or an independent co-op, can find exactly what they need in seconds—no matter the brand or location.

“Bring the joy of the library to your grocery cart.”

Future Roadmap

  • 1. Community-Driven Wiki

    Embed a lightweight Markdown wiki (built on Wiki.js) so that contributors can propose new categories, refine sub-codes, and document store-specific adaptations. (see: GitHub Issues + pull requests for taxonomy changes)

  • 2. Interactive Store Maps

    Use the numeric codes to generate downloadable store-layout maps. Shoppers can type in “112” and see exactly where “Bananas” are in their local Kroger, Trader Joe’s, or Whole Foods. (see: JavaScript map overlays + mobile routing)

  • 3. API & Open Data Exports

    Offer a public JSON/CSV dump of the primary taxonomy so developers can build apps, smart fridge integrations, or voice-assistant skills (“Alexa, find all 500.20 items near me”). (see: RESTful endpoints + rate limiting)

  • 4. Mobile App & Scannable Codes

    Create a companion iOS/Android app where each aisle has a QR-like “Chewy code.” Point your phone, and it directs you to the right shelf. (see: Flutter or React Native prototype)

  • 5. Analytics Dashboard

    Track how often each code is used, discover “hot” categories in each region, and let retailers optimize shelf space. (see: Grafana + Prometheus or simple charting)