Free UPC-E barcode generator
UPC-E squeezes a UPC-A into six encoded digits by dropping zeros, so it fits on tiny packages. Only some numbers qualify.
Barcode format
7 digits starting with 0 or 1, or 8 with the check digit. The check digit is calculated for you.
Check digit 5 calculated and appended.
Keep strong contrast (dark bars on a light background) and leave a clear margin, or scanners may fail to read it.
Preview
Rendering…
Everything is generated in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
As with all retail numbers, the underlying UPC is licensed through GS1. This tool encodes digits you provide and does not allocate them.
What is UPC-E?
UPC-E is the zero-suppressed form of UPC-A. Six digits are printed and a scanner expands them back to the full 12-digit number using a rule based on the last digit, then checks the result.
It can only represent a UPC-A whose manufacturer and product codes contain enough zeros, and the number system must be 0 or 1. That is why this generator refuses a first digit of 2 to 9.
When to use UPC-E
Small US or Canada retail items such as cosmetics, vitamins and confectionery.
Only when your UPC-A has the right zero pattern to compress.
If the number does not compress, use a normal UPC-A or EAN-13 instead.
How to make a UPC-E barcode
- 1
Enter the number system digit (0 or 1) followed by the six encoded digits, seven in total.
- 2
The check digit is computed from the expanded UPC-A and appended, or verified if you typed eight digits.
- 3
Download SVG, PNG or PDF.
- 4
Verify with a real scanner: UPC-E is short, so print size and contrast matter.
UPC-E questions
Why does UPC-E only accept 0 or 1 as the first digit?
Zero suppression is defined only for number systems 0 and 1. Other leading digits have no compressed form in the standard.
Can I turn any UPC-A into a UPC-E?
No. Only UPC-A numbers with the right run of zeros compress. If yours does not, you keep the full UPC-A.
How does the scanner know the full number?
The last of the six printed digits selects an expansion pattern that re-inserts zeros at set positions. The check digit is then calculated over the expanded 12 digits.
Will every till accept UPC-E?
Most retail scanners do and expand it to a full UPC-A internally. Retailers can still specify what they accept, so ask before printing a large run.
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