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UPC-E generator

The short UPC code for small packages. It holds a zero-suppressed UPC-A number in 8 digits.

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 6, 7 or 8 UPC-E digits, or a UPC-A number that can be shortened.

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: 22.11 × 25.28 mm. The on-screen preview is enlarged.

Download the code

PNG file: 268 × 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-E

UPC-E writes a UPC-A number in a shorter form by leaving out groups of zeros, so it fits on small packages. Only numbers with the right zeros in the middle can be shortened.

The code has 8 digits: the number system (0 or 1), 6 digits and a check digit calculated from the full UPC-A number. If you enter a 12-digit UPC-A, the generator checks whether it can be shortened.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert UPC-A to UPC-E?

Enter the 11 or 12 digits of the UPC-A number. If it has the right zeros, the generator writes it as UPC-E. If not, you will see a message to use UPC-A instead.

Why can my number not be shortened?

UPC-E leaves out zeros only by a few fixed rules, e.g. the manufacturer number must end with zeros and the product number must start with zeros. Numbers without such zeros stay in UPC-A form.

What does the first digit mean?

It is the number system. UPC-E allows only 0 and 1. If you enter 6 digits, the generator assumes 0.

Where do I get a number?

UPC-E is another way of writing a GTIN-12, which GS1 US issues. Qreska does not issue numbers; it only draws the code from a number you already have.

What does a scanner return?

Most scanners expand UPC-E to the full UPC-A number, so the till sees 12 or 13 digits, not 8.

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