UPCS Logo
    My Account

    Getting started

    UPCS Quick Start: Your First Five Minutes

    Generate, share and look up a UPCS code in a few steps. A short walkthrough for first-time users of upcs.io.

    Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read

    This quick start takes you through the three things most people do with UPCS: create a code for a place, share it, and look up a code someone else gave you. You do not need to install anything; everything works in a web browser at upcs.io.

    Create a code

    1. Open the map on upcs.io.
    2. Move and zoom the map until you can see the exact spot you want.
    3. Choose that spot on the map.
    4. The code for that location is generated and shown to you.

    The code is in the form CC-XXXX-XXXX, such as PK-1A2B-3C4D. For a closer walkthrough, see how to generate your first code.

    Share it

    Once you have a code, you can tell it to someone, paste it into a message, or copy the link to its lookup page. The options are described in how to share a UPCS code.

    Look up a code

    1. Paste the code into the search box at the top of the site, or add it to the site address, for example upcs.io/PK-1A2B-3C4D.
    2. Open the lookup page that appears.
    3. Check the country and coordinates shown, then use the options on the page such as Open in Map or Get Directions.

    Finding a location from a code explains this page in full.

    Good habits from the start

    • Zoom in before choosing, so the code matches the entrance or door you mean.
    • Confirm the spot on the map before you send the code.
    • Remember that a code is an extra detail for a normal address, not a replacement for it.

    When you are comfortable with the basics, where to go next lists more help topics.

    Related reading

    How to Generate Your First UPCS CodeStep-by-step instructions for choosing a location on the UPCS map and getting its short code, plus tips for picking the right spot.Understanding the UPCS Code FormatA UPCS code uses the pattern CC-XXXX-XXXX: a country prefix and two blocks of characters for a 3 m by 3 m cell. Here is how to read one.How to Find a Location From a UPCS CodePaste a UPCS code into the search box or use the upcs.io address form to see the exact place on a lookup page with map options.Use UPCS Coordinates in Another AppCopy the latitude and longitude of a UPCS code and paste them into another tool, such as a mapping or note-taking application.