Free Online UPC-E Barcode Generator
UPCE ModeUPC-E compresses eligible UPC-A numbers into a six-digit symbol for packages with extremely limited label space. Enter the six-digit UPC-E value starting with 0 or 1, validate, and export a compact scannable image.
1. Enter barcode data
0 entries · Blank lines ignored · Duplicate values detected
2. Choose barcode settings
3. Generate
Barcode preview
Your generated barcodes will appear here.
Enter a value above and select Generate Barcode to preview the result.
Download settings
What is a UPC-E barcode?
UPC-E is a zero-suppressed compression of UPC-A that encodes certain 12-digit product numbers into six digits for tiny retail packages. The symbol uses the same guard bar patterns as UPC-A but omits zeros according to defined compression rules. POS systems expand UPC-E back to a 12-digit UPC-A equivalent at checkout. Not every UPC-A number can be compressed; eligibility depends on the digit pattern.
Recommended generator settings
These defaults work well for preview and download. Adjust to match your label template or scanner tests.
| Bar width | Start at 2; increase only if scans fail at your print size |
|---|---|
| Height | 100 px preview minimum; follow your label template for print |
| Quiet zone | Keep the default margin unless your spec defines a different quiet zone |
| Readable text | Leave enabled when operators verify values manually |
| Output format | PNG for design files; JPEG for documents and quick sharing |
Practical examples
036789012345103678112233
When should you use UPC-E?
- Very small retail packages where UPC-A will not fit legibly
- Label proofs for compressed UPC numbers already assigned to your SKU
- Validating scanner expansion from UPC-E to UPC-A in QA environments
- Promotional sample packs with tight label constraints
Limitations and common mistakes
Use UPC-A when the full 12-digit symbol fits. Use EAN-8 for international small-package retail outside UPC compression rules.
- Including letters or symbols when this format accepts digits only.
- Using the wrong digit count for this fixed-length symbology.
- Assuming a generated number is an officially assigned product or case identifier.
- Trimming quiet zones when cropping the image for a label layout.
- Scaling the barcode unevenly so bar width ratios no longer match the generated image.
Related formats
- UPC-A Barcode Generator — Standard 12-digit format when label space allows.
- EAN-8 Barcode Generator — Alternative small-package retail symbology internationally.
UPC-E vs UPC-A
| Format | Best for | Supported data | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | Consumer product labels targeting US and Canadian retail chains | Exactly 12 digits | Full 12-digit barcode readable without expansion logic. |
| EAN-8 | Small retail packages that cannot accommodate a full EAN-13 symbol | Exactly 8 digits | Fixed-length numeric identifier with check digit. |
| EAN-13 | Product packaging for retail sale in markets that expect EAN-13 symbols | Exactly 13 digits | A fixed-length numeric identifier with embedded check digit. |
Back to the main barcode generator · Compare all barcode types
Printing and scanning notes
Printing
- Print at the minimum size your retailer specifies for compressed UPC symbols.
- Preserve guard patterns; compression does not reduce quiet-zone requirements.
- Confirm human-readable text rules—some guides show both compressed and expanded forms.
Scanning
- Verify POS firmware expands UPC-E correctly to the 12-digit equivalent.
- Test on glossy or curved mini labels common on travel-size products.
- Compare expanded scan results against your master UPC-A record.
This tool creates a barcode image from the value you provide. It does not issue, register or guarantee an official product identification number.