How many digits does a UPC-E barcode have?

8 digits including the check digit. Enter 7 and we calculate the eighth for you. UPC-E almost always starts with a 0.

What is the difference between UPC-E and UPC-A?

They carry the same information. UPC-E suppresses runs of zeros using a fixed compression rule, shrinking 12 digits down to 8. The scanner expands it back to the full UPC-A internally.

Can any UPC-A number become a UPC-E?

No. Only numbers with the right zero patterns can be compressed. If your number does not fit the pattern you must use UPC-A or EAN-13 instead.

Mainly in the US and Canada on small retail items. In Europe EAN-13 is the norm, so you will mostly see UPC-E on imported goods.

100% free · no sign-up · no watermark

UPC-E barcode generator

Enter 7 or 8 digits — the compact form of UPC-A.

Barcode type

Barcode data

Options

Size3×

Bar height12 mm

Show text below barcode

Generated inside your browser — your data never reaches our servers.

UPC-E

UPC-E is the shortened form of UPC-A: by suppressing zeros, the same item information fits into 8 digits instead of 12. That makes the symbol roughly half as wide, which is what you need on small packaging such as cosmetics, sweets, gum or vape liquids where a full UPC-A simply will not fit.

About half the width of a UPC-A symbol
Designed for small packages with very little print area
Scanners automatically expand UPC-E back to full UPC-A

Frequently asked questions

All barcode types

EAN-13Enter 12 digits — we calculate the check digit for you.EAN-8Enter 7 digits, the check digit is added automatically.UPC-AEnter 11 digits for a valid 12-digit UPC-A.UPC-EEnter 7 or 8 digits — the compact form of UPC-A.ITF-14For cases, trays and trade units (14 digits).GS1-128With Application Identifiers, e.g. (01)(17)(10).ISBNEnter your ISBN with dashes, for example 978-90-274-3964.ISSNFormat XXXX-XXXX, for example 0317-8471.Code 128Letters, digits and symbols in one compact symbol.Code 39The classic symbology for legacy scanners and industry.Code 93More compact than Code 39, with double error checking.QR CodeFor links, text and more — no account, no expiry.Data MatrixThe smallest 2D code — for components and medical products.PDF417Lots of text in one symbol — for documents and tickets.

Continue with

Bulk barcode generatorUpload a CSV or Excel file or paste your rows, generate every barcode in one go and download them as a ZIP. All processing happens in your browser.Bulk Barcode validatorPaste a barcode number to verify its check digit, detect the format and look up the GS1 prefix region.Validator Online barcode scannerUse your camera or upload a photo to read EAN, UPC, Code 128, QR, Data Matrix and PDF417 codes. Nothing is uploaded.Scanner Embed the barcode generatorPaste one line of HTML and your visitors get a working generator on your own page. Free to use commercially, no API key and no back link required.Embed