Unit of Measure Codes and Case Converter

UOM stands for unit of measure: the unit a quantity is counted in, such as each (EA), case (CA), pallet (PL), pound (LB) or kilogram (KGM). On a purchase order or invoice the UOM tells the supplier whether 10 means ten bottles or ten cases of twelve.

In X12 EDI it is CA. In EDIFACT, EANCOM and Peppol invoices, which use UN/ECE Recommendation 20, it is XCS (the X prefix marks a Recommendation 21 package code). CS is a common mistake: in X12, CS means cassette.

EA (each) is one sellable unit. PC (piece) is one physical piece, which matters when one sellable unit has several pieces, such as a two-piece set. Most retailers order in EA. In Rec 20 the equivalents are EA or C62 for each and H87 for piece.

It depends on the product's pack size, which comes from the item set-up, not from the code. A case of 4 inner packs of 6 holds 24 eaches. Enter your pack sizes in the converter to see any quantity in eaches, inner packs, cases and pallets.

Not in X12. IP in X12 means insurance policy. The inner pack count is sent as a number in the PO4 segment of an 850 or 832, and the order quantity uses EA, CA or another unit code.

X12 codes are data element 355 (Unit or Basis for Measurement Code). EDIFACT codes come from UN/ECE Recommendation 20, Revision 17, with Recommendation 21 package codes prefixed X. We list each code with its short name only.