How it works
- Type or paste the UPC number. Spaces and hyphens are ignored.
- Read the check digit panel. It says whether the check digit was added or is valid, or that it is wrong and what it should be.
- Download a PNG at 1x, 2x or 4x, download an SVG, or print the UPC barcode on its own.
How a UPC-A number is built
- 12 digits in total: 11 data digits and a check digit at the end.
- The first digit was traditionally called the number system digit. GS1 now treats it as the start of the company prefix.
- The rest of the company prefix and the item reference follow. The brand owner assigns an item reference to each product.
- The last digit is the check digit, calculated from the other 11.
UPC-A and EAN-13
A UPC-A is the same as an EAN-13 that starts with 0. Put a 0 in front of a 12 digit UPC and you have its 13 digit form, and the bars come out identical, which is why retail scanners set up for EAN-13 can usually read UPC-A codes too. If you were given a 13 digit number, use the EAN-13 barcode generator instead.
Working out a UPC check digit
Take the first 11 digits, for example 03600029145. Multiply the digits in odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th and so on) by 3 and the others by 1. The results 0, 3, 18, 0, 0, 0, 6, 9, 3, 4 and 15 add up to 58. The next multiple of ten is 60, so the check digit is 2 and the full UPC is 036000291452. The check digit calculator lays out the same steps for any UPC-A or UPC-E.
About offers of cheap or free UPC codes
Some sellers offer UPC numbers that were never licensed to you, for example numbers taken from an old company prefix. GS1 US says its prefixes cannot be resold or sublicensed, and a number registered to another company, or not found at all, may be rejected by a retailer or marketplace. If you plan to sell through stores, check what they accept before you buy numbers.
Printing UPC labels
- The GS1 specifications ask for at least 9 modules of light space on each side of a UPC-A. The default here is 12.
- Keeping the digits under the bars lets someone type the number in if a scan fails.
- Download the SVG for packaging artwork so the bars stay sharp when the design is resized.
More barcode formats
- Barcode generator with every format, including EAN-8
- EAN-13 barcode generator for 13 digit numbers
- Code 128 barcode generator for text and stock codes
- Check digit calculator with the working for UPC-A and UPC-E
- ITF-14 barcode generator for cases of your product
- ISBN barcode generator for books
- Data Matrix generator for small 2D codes
- Aztec code generator for tickets and passes
- PDF417 generator for longer text
Frequently asked questions
How many digits does a UPC code have?
A UPC-A code has 12 digits: 11 data digits and a check digit. Enter the first 11 and this tool works out the 12th.
Can I make up my own UPC number?
You can generate a barcode for any valid number, but retailers usually require a UPC licensed through GS1. A made-up number may belong to another company or not be registered at all.
What does a wrong check digit mean?
The last digit does not match the other 11, so the number has a typo or was copied incorrectly. The tool shows the correct digit and a button to use the corrected number, but check the number at its source first.
Is a UPC the same as an EAN?
A UPC-A is an EAN-13 with a leading 0, and both produce the same bars. Outside North America, products more often carry 13 digit EAN-13 numbers.
Can I download a UPC barcode for print?
Yes. Download the SVG for print artwork, or a PNG at 1x, 2x or 4x for label software, and the PNG size in pixels is shown before you download.