How to use the upc-e to upc-a converter
- Type an 8 digit UPC-E code to expand it to 12 digits, or a 12 digit UPC-A code to compress it.
- Spaces and hyphens in the number are ignored.
- Read the result and the check digit.
- If a UPC-A cannot be shortened, the tool says why.
Formula
UPC-E is the number system digit, six digits d1 to d6 and the check digit
Last digit d6 of 0, 1 or 2: manufacturer d1 d2 d6 00, product 00 d3 d4 d5
d6 of 3: manufacturer d1 d2 d3 00, product 000 d4 d5. d6 of 4: manufacturer d1 d2 d3 d4 0, product 0000 d5
d6 of 5 to 9: manufacturer d1 to d5, product 0000 d6
The check digit is the same in both forms and is checked by the tool.
Expanding 04252614
The number system is 0, the six digits are 425261 and the check digit is 4. The last of the six digits is 1, so the manufacturer part is 42 1 00 and the product part is 00 526. The full UPC-A is 042100005264.
The code 01234565 expands to 012345000065. Going the other way, 042100005264 compresses back to a code that expands to the same 12 digits. A code like 012345678905 has no run of zeros in the right place, so it cannot be compressed.
Why there are two forms
A UPC-A barcode has 12 digits and takes a fair amount of space. On small packages a shorter form was needed, so UPC-E drops runs of zeros from the code in a fixed pattern and leaves 8 digits. Scanners and databases expand it back to 12 digits, which is the form to use when looking up or storing a product.
Only codes with enough zeros in the right places can be shortened. A compression is also not always unique, since more than one rule can apply to the same code. The tool picks a valid short form and shows that expanding it gives back your number.
Check digits and next steps
The last digit is calculated from the first eleven by weighting alternate digits by three and one. A code with a wrong check digit is flagged. To make a scannable barcode image use the Barcode Generator. The ORCID and ISNI Checksum Validator checks a different type of identifier, the CRC32 Checksum Calculator shows a stronger kind of check, and the Hex Viewer is useful for looking at raw data.
Assumptions and limits
- The first digit of a UPC-E code is the number system digit, 0 or 1.
- A valid check digit is required for both forms.
- The codes shown are examples and not a lookup of real products.
- The tool does not check whether a code is assigned to any product.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my UPC-A fail to compress?
Compression needs zeros in particular positions. Many codes do not have them, so they are only printed in full.
What is the check digit for?
It catches most typing errors. The tool recomputes it and tells you if the code is not valid.
Is the first digit important?
Yes. It is the number system digit. UPC-E is defined only for systems 0 and 1.
Can I scan the result?
This page shows numbers only. Use a barcode generator to draw a code that a scanner can read.