UPC-E Barcode Generator
Generate a compact UPC-E barcode for small packages from a zero suppressed UPC number of 6, 7 or 8 digits. The tool checks the number system digit, calculates the check digit from the expanded UPC-A number or verifies yours, and draws the barcode as PNG or SVG. It helps brands that print on cans, small bottles and other narrow packs where a full UPC-A does not fit.
Frequently asked questions
What do I enter in the UPC-E Barcode Generator?
Enter 6 digits for the UPC-E body, 7 digits with the leading number system digit, or 8 digits including the check digit. Six digits are treated as number system 0. Spaces and hyphens are ignored.
How is the UPC-E check digit found?
UPC-E is a compressed UPC-A number, so the tool first expands it to its 11 digit UPC-A form following the zero suppression rules and then applies the GS1 modulo 10 method. If you enter 8 digits, a wrong check digit is rejected and the correct one is shown.
Which number system digits are allowed?
UPC-E only exists for number systems 0 and 1, so the first digit of a 7 or 8 digit entry must be 0 or 1. Any other first digit is rejected. Numbers that cannot be compressed need a full UPC-A barcode.
Can every UPC-A number be turned into UPC-E?
No. Only UPC-A numbers with enough zeros in specific positions can be zero suppressed. This tool takes the UPC-E form directly. The Barcode Check Digit Calculator shows the expanded UPC-A number of any UPC-E you enter, so you can confirm it matches your product.
Can I add an add-on?
Yes. Enter 2 or 5 digits in the add-on field to draw a supplemental symbol beside the main barcode. Other lengths are refused with a message.
Should I download the UPC-E barcode as PNG or SVG?
Choose SVG for print work, packaging artwork and anything you scale later, because the bars stay sharp at every size. Choose PNG for documents, web pages and label software that only accept raster images. The PNG has a white background and the SVG draws a white background rectangle, so both scan on any page color.
What do scale and bar height do?
The scale from 1 to 10 sets the width of the narrowest bar in pixels, and 3 is the default. The bar height accepts 5 to 50 millimeters and falls back to the standard height when empty. A UPC-E symbol at scale 3 is about 260 pixels wide.
Can I hide the human readable digits?
Yes. Turn off the human readable text option for bars only. Normally the number system digit and the check digit are printed outside the bars and the six body digits beneath them.
Is the output size limited?
Yes, to 4000 pixels on each side, which UPC-E never reaches within the allowed scale and height. The number is only used to draw the image and is not stored.
Do scanners read UPC-E everywhere?
Yes. Retail scanners decode UPC-E and expand it to the full UPC-A or GTIN-13 number before looking up the product. The product database therefore stores the expanded number, not the 8 digit form.