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UPC-A generator

The product barcode used in the USA and Canada. It holds a 12-digit GTIN-12.

Qreska does not issue EAN numbers

GTIN/EAN numbers are issued by GS1 (in Poland: GS1 Polska). Qreska only draws the code from a number you already have.

Code settings

Enter 11 digits and we will calculate the check digit, or all 12 digits.

2 digits, e.g. a magazine issue number, or 5 digits, e.g. a book price. Leave empty if you do not need it.

The narrowest bar of the code. Recommended 0.264 to 0.66 mm.

From 3 to 300 mm.

Blank margin around the code required by the standard. Keep it on.

Appearance

The human readable digits or characters, set in OCR-B.

Height of a digit, from 1 to 30 mm.

Hexadecimal, for example #000000.

Fills the quiet zone too.

Preview

Size with quiet zone: 37.29 × 25.28 mm. The on-screen preview is enlarged.

Download the code

PNG file: 452 × 306 px, 307.9 DPI. Each module gets whole pixels and the DPI is set so the printout has exactly the size in mm shown above.

What is UPC-A

UPC-A is the retail product code in North America. It has 12 digits and the last one is the check digit. Scanners read it as an EAN-13 number with a leading zero.

The nominal size uses X = 0.33 mm. The quiet zone is at least 9 modules on each side. A 2- or 5-digit add-on can be added.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a UPC-A code to sell in the USA?

Not necessarily. Since 2005, shops in the USA and Canada must also read EAN-13. Companies outside North America usually use EAN-13 with a number from their national GS1 organisation.

Where do I get a UPC number?

GTIN-12 numbers are issued by GS1 US. Qreska does not issue numbers; it only draws the code from a number you already have.

How is UPC-A different from EAN-13?

UPC-A is an EAN-13 with a leading zero, written without that zero. 036000291452 in UPC-A is the same number as 0036000291452 in EAN-13.

What is the 2- or 5-digit add-on for?

It is a short extra code next to the main one, used on magazines and books, e.g. for the issue number or price. Regular products do not need it.

Which size should I choose?

The nominal size is X = 0.33 mm, and GS1 allows scaling from 80% to 200%. Leave at least 9 modules of blank space on each side.

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