Getting started
How to Generate Your First UPCS Code
Step-by-step instructions for choosing a location on the UPCS map and getting its short code, plus tips for picking the right spot.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
You generate a UPCS code by choosing a location on the map. The code is created for that exact place and can be used immediately.
Steps
- Go to upcs.io and open the map.
- Find your location. You can move the map by dragging it and zoom with the controls or your scroll wheel.
- Zoom in far enough that you can see the building, gate or door you want to mark.
- Choose the location on the map.
- Read the code that is generated. It looks like
CC-XXXX-XXXX.
Pick the spot with care
A code stands for a 3 m by 3 m cell, so a small difference in where you choose can change the code. Think about what the person using it needs to reach: the front door, the loading bay, or the car park entrance. If that is different from the middle of the building, choose the entrance itself. The page on zooming in to the entrance gives more tips.
What if it does not work
If your point is outside the countries UPCS covers, you will receive an unsupported_location response instead of a code. See supported countries for the list.
After you have the code
- Share it with the people who need it.
- Look it up to confirm it shows the place you intended.
- Learn how the characters are built in understanding the code format.
Checking your own code on the lookup page before you pass it on is a quick way to avoid mistakes later.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get the same code if I choose the same place again?
Yes. The same coordinates always produce the same code, and each code covers a 3 m by 3 m grid cell.