UPC-E to UPC-A Converter

Convert a UPC-E to UPC-A, or a UPC-A to UPC-E, with every step shown. The converter follows the four GS1 zero-suppression rules, recalculates the check digit, explains why a number has no UPC-E form, and downloads both barcodes as SVG, PNG, PDF or EPS. It runs in your browser.

Converted

01234565 ⇄ 012345000065

Number

8 digits

Type 8 digits (or 6–7) for a UPC-E to expand it, or 12 digits (or 11) for a UPC-A to compress it. The direction follows the length.

Try an example

Digit map

UPC-A

  1. 01
  2. 12
  3. 23
  4. 34
  5. 45
  6. 56
  7. 07
  8. 08
  9. 09
  10. 010
  11. 611
  12. 512

UPC-E · rule (a)

  1. 01
  2. 12
  3. 23
  4. 34
  5. 45
  6. 56
  7. 611
  8. 512
  • Number system
  • Kept in the UPC-E
  • Zero left out
  • Selects the rule
  • Check digit (shared)

The small number under each digit is its position in the UPC-A.

Steps

  1. UPC-E 01234565: number system 0, encoded digits 123456, check digit 5.
  2. The sixth digit is 6, so rule (a): the UPC-A ends in 5 to 9, digits 7 to 10 are zeros and digit 6 is not. The UPC-E keeps digits 2 to 6, then the last digit.
  3. Rebuild the UPC-A: 0 12345 0000 6, four zeros restored.
  4. Check digit of 01234500006: 3 × (0 + 2 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 6) + (1 + 3 + 5 + 0 + 0) = 45; 50 − 45 = 5.
  5. UPC-A: 012345000065.

Size and resolution

Output DPI

300 DPI · Thermal / offset

Both barcodes are drawn at 100% magnification, the GS1 nominal size with 0.33 mm bars. For another size, add-ons or colors, open them in the UPC barcode generator.

Make the UPC-A barcodeMake the UPC-E barcode
UPC-E to UPC-A · ResultConverted

UPC-A

012345000065

UPC-A barcode for 012345000065

UPC-E

01234565

UPC-E barcode for 01234565
GS1 rule
(a)
Check digit
5
Number system
0
UPC-A print size
42.8 × 27.8 mm
Read back
Runs when the number changes

Download

Vector drawing, 42.8 × 27.8 mm. Design and label programs place it at its print size.

Print at 100%, without fit-to-page scaling. Everything runs in your browser.

How to Convert UPC-E to UPC-A

Type the number; the converter reads the direction from its length and shows the result with each step.

  1. Type a UPC-E of 8 digits (or 6–7 without the number system or check digit) to expand it.
  2. Or type a UPC-A of 12 digits (or 11) to compress it.
  3. Read the digit map and the steps: the rule that applies, the zeros restored or removed, and the check digit calculation.
  4. Choose UPC-A or UPC-E, the format and the DPI, and download the barcode, or press a Make button to open it in the generator.

The Four GS1 Zero-Suppression Rules

A UPC-E keeps six digits of a UPC-A and drops a run of zeros; its last encoded digit tells which of four rules was used.

How the sixth UPC-E digit selects the rule (GS1 General Specifications, section 5.2.2.4.1)
RuleSixth digitUPC-A patternExample
(a)5 to 9ends in 5–9 with four zeros before it012345000058 ⇄ 01234558
(b)4five zeros before the last digit045670000080 ⇄ 04567840
(c)0, 1 or 2digit 4 is 0–2, then four zeros034000005673 ⇄ 03456703
(d)3digit 4 is 3–9, then five zeros098400000751 ⇄ 09847531

Why the Order Matters

GS1 tests the rules in the order (a), (b), (c), (d), and the first one that fits is used. Some UPC-E codes printed under older specifications break this order; the converter still expands them but warns that they do not follow the current rules.

The Check Digit Stays the Same

A UPC-E has no check digit of its own: it carries the check digit of the full UPC-A. The converter recalculates it from the 11 UPC-A digits and shows the calculation.

Converting UPC-A to UPC-E

Only some UPC-A numbers have a UPC-E form: they must start with 0 and have their zeros where one of the four rules expects them.

Numbers That Cannot Be Compressed

When no rule fits, the converter lists each rule and the digits that stop it from applying. Such a product keeps its UPC-A, and a smaller X-dimension is the way to fit a small package.

Number System 1

GS1 allows UPC-E only for numbers that start with 0. A UPC-E starting with 1 is a legacy use: the converter expands it with a warning but never creates one.

UPC-A and UPC-E Compared

Both carry the same 12-digit GTIN; UPC-E simply leaves out zeros so the barcode is about half as wide.

UPC-A and UPC-E side by side (GS1 General Specifications)
PropertyUPC-AUPC-E
Digits shown128
Numbersevery GTIN-12GTIN-12s starting with 0 that fit a zero-suppression rule
Quiet zone9 modules left and right9 modules left, 7 right
Bars at 100%22.85 mm tall, 0.33 mm narrowestthe same

When to Use UPC-E

Use UPC-E when a package is too small for a UPC-A and your number qualifies. Otherwise print the UPC-A, which every scanner reads without expansion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a UPC-E the Same Product Number as Its UPC-A?

Yes. The UPC-E is a compressed way of printing the same GTIN-12, and scanners expand it back to the UPC-A before looking up the product.

Why Does My UPC-A Have No UPC-E?

Most UPC-A numbers do not have enough zeros in the right places. The converter shows which digits stop each of the four rules from applying.

Can I Enter Just the Six Middle Digits?

Yes. The converter assumes number system 0 and adds the check digit. GS1 notes that there is no six-digit UPC-E barcode, so the result always shows all 8 digits.

What Happens If the Check Digit Is Wrong?

The converter stops and names the expected check digit, because a UPC-E and its UPC-A share it. Correct the last digit and the conversion runs.

Does It Convert UPC-E Codes That Start With 1?

It expands them with a warning, because GS1 allows UPC-E only with number system 0. It never compresses a UPC-A that starts with 1.

Can I Make a Barcode From the Result?

Yes. Download either barcode here as SVG, PNG, WebP, JPEG, PDF or EPS; both are read back with the scanner's decoder first. For other sizes, add-ons or colors, the Make buttons open the UPC barcode generator with the number filled in.

Related UPC Tools