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.

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UPC-E barcode generator

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

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Bar height12 mm

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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.

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