UPC Validator (UPC-A and UPC-E)
Enter a UPC-A or UPC-E number to find out whether its check digit is correct. For a compressed UPC-E, the tool also shows the full 12-digit UPC-A it stands for, which is the form most product databases and listing forms expect.
3 of 3 valid
| Code | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 036000291452 | UPC-A | Valid As an EAN-13 body the full code would be 0360002914522. |
| 04252614 | UPC-E | Valid Expands to UPC-A 042100005264 |
| 03600029145 | UPC-A | Valid Check digit added → 036000291452 |
Your data stays on your device.
How does it work?
- 1Type or paste a UPC-A (11 or 12 digits) or a UPC-E number.
- 2Read the result: valid or invalid, with the correct check digit displayed.
- 3For a UPC-E, read the expanded UPC-A shown underneath.
- 4Copy the version you need for your product listing or database.
What is UPC Validator?
UPC-A is the 12-digit product code used on retail goods in the United States and Canada. It consists of a number-system digit, a five-digit manufacturer code, a five-digit product code and a check digit. The check is calculated by adding the digits in odd positions, multiplying that sum by 3, adding the digits in even positions and taking whatever is needed to reach the next multiple of 10.
UPC-E is a shortened version made for small packages. Zeros that are not needed are removed from the manufacturer and product codes, leaving 6 digits between the number system and the check digit. Only number systems 0 and 1 can be compressed, and the last of the 6 digits tells how the zeros go back when the code is expanded. The check digit belongs to the expanded UPC-A, so it can only be verified after expansion.
For example, the UPC-E 0 425261 4 expands to the UPC-A 0 42100 00526 4. If a UPC-E cannot be compressed from a given UPC-A, the full UPC-A must be used instead.
When should you use it?
- A retailer or marketplace asks for 12-digit UPC-A but your packaging carries only the short UPC-E.
- You are checking a batch of product numbers received from a supplier for typing errors.
- You are about to print a UPC-A barcode and want to confirm the number first.
- You need the check digit for an 11-digit product number.
Privacy
This tool runs in your browser. What you type, paste or open is processed on your device by JavaScript and is not sent to our servers, stored or shared. Your data stays on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between UPC-A and UPC-E?
They identify the same product. UPC-A is the full 12-digit code, while UPC-E is a zero-suppressed form for small packaging that expands back to a UPC-A. Retail systems normally store the expanded 12-digit number.
Why must the number system be 0 or 1 for UPC-E?
The zero-suppression scheme is only defined for those number systems, so a UPC-A starting with any other digit cannot be shortened to a UPC-E.
Can a UPC-A be used where an EAN-13 is required?
Yes. Put a 0 in front of the 12 digits and you have a valid EAN-13 with the same check digit, which is how non-US systems normally handle UPC numbers.
Does a valid check digit mean the product is registered?
No, it only shows the number is well-formed. Numbers are issued through GS1 and the check digit cannot tell whether a company has actually been assigned the prefix.
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