Available display surface (ADS)
Reference information

Mathematical calculations for the area of some geometric forms

Image	Mathematical calculations
	Rectangle: Area = length(L) x width(W)
	Parallelogram: Area = base (B) x height (H)
	Triangle:
	Trapezoid:
	Circle: Area =∏r²
	Cylinder (can): Area of top and bottom = 2(∏r²) Area of sides = 2∏rh or height of can x circumference Note: Only the sides of a regular tin can are considered ADS. There are exceptions for cans with plastic lids or cans that are labelled on the top and/or bottom of can.
	Sphere: Area = 4∏r²
	Cone: Total Area = Area of cone + Area of base Area of cone = ∏rs Area of base = ∏r²
	Pyramid with a square base (4 sides): Total Area = Area of 4 triangles + Area of base Area of base = b²
	Box: Total Area = (front and back) + (top and bottom) + (2 sides) = 2(Ll + Lh + hl)
	Prism Total Area = ends (2 triangles) + sides (2 rectangles) + base Area of sides (2 rectangles) = Ll x 2 Area of base (1 rectangle) = Lb
	Sides of Conical Frustum (e.g. sides of plastic yogurt tub): Area of sides = ∏[R1+R2] S R1 = large radius R2 = small radius S=slant

Calculation methods for different packaging types

Note

The many examples of prepackaged products included in this section are there for the purposes of determining the ADS only.

mathematical calculations - volume of container in millilitre divide my 250 millilitre multiply 100 centimetre squares must be greater than 250 millilitre

This table outlines what is included and excluded from the ADS for different package types and the calculation methods used.
Package type	Included in ADS	Excluded from ADS surfaces
Bacon packages	front back	area width of 1 bacon strip the whole length of package glued seams UPC symbol
Bags – Flat, back central seam (e.g., chip bag)	front back	glued ends, back central seam "eye spot" if present, and the area the whole length of the package equal to the eye spot UPC symbol
Bags –With gathered ends (e.g., bread bag)	all sides + 1 end	gathered end, (from crust to end of bag^{Table Note 1}) UPC symbol
Bags – Cookie	front & back main panels – top wrap area to bottom sides bottom – largest panel only	sides – gabled areas at top bottom – seam and smaller panel UPC symbol
Bags – Flat pouch without gussets	front back	glued seams Bag closures UPC symbol
Bags – Stand-up with inset gusset	front back bottom, if inset gusset can support easily readable information.	bottom, if inset gusset is deep and will not support easily readable information glued seams Bag closures UPC symbol
Bags – Stand-up pouch with flat bottom	front back bottom	glued seams Bag closures UPC symbol
Baked goods – Fresh, not baked & packaged at retail: rigid plastic containers (e.g., rigid plastic clear "clam shell" containers)	top sides bottom (providing turning the product over will not damage the product)	bottom – if turning the product upside down will result in damage to the product. security seals, if the product is sealed for tamper protection, exclude the area of the seal - a strip 10 mm wide x the length of the seal edging (extended areas) where the top and bottom join and seal ridging, raised areas, etc. that will not support a label UPC symbol (if on included area)
Bars – Foil wrapped (e.g., energy bar)	entire wrapper	end seams central flap (both sides) unless already printed UPC symbol
Bars – Paper label over foil wrap (e.g., chocolate bar)	entire paper label	UPC symbol
Bottles/ jars – Regular cylindrical, glass & plastic (e.g., stubby bottles, not bottles with long necks)	sides (full circumference, measured from heel of jar to curve of neck) lid (unless exceptions apply)	sides – curves at top and bottom some lids/lid areas: See Lids on jars and tubs UPC symbol bottom
Bottles/ jars – Non-uniform, sold by volume; glass or plastic	One of these formulas can be used: If < 149 ml = less than 100 cm² ( small package exemption will be applied) If 150 ml to 250 ml = 100 cm²	based on declared net quantity, there are no further deductions, e.g. UPC symbol
Bottles/ jars – Irregular, sold by weight; glass or plastic	empty container; measure volume and apply the appropriated formula: If < 149 ml = less than 100 cm² ( small package exemption will be applied) If 150 ml to 250 ml = 100 cm²	there are no further deductions, e.g. UPC symbol
Cans – Metal cans with paper labels	sides (full circumference)	top (unless already labelled) bottom (unless already labelled) UPC symbol
Cans – Flat with print directly on can (e.g., sardine, herring, ham)	top bottom sides of larger cans	ridges and/or areas with keys that prevent legible printing sides of small cans, unless already printed (e.g., sardine cans) UPC symbol
Cans – Cardboard or metal with plastic lid (e.g., hot chocolate)	plastic lid sides (full circumference)	raised lip at edge of lid sides of lid if <10 mm wide bottom UPC symbol
Cardboard Cartons – Milk, cream or juice (e.g., milk, cream, juice)	sides shoulder panels	bottom gabled ends top glue seal (area for "best before" date) plastic cap (unless labelled) UPC symbol
Catch weight meat products of similar size and form e.g., pork hocks	front^{Table Note 2} back^{Table Note 2}	Sides UPC symbol
Egg cartons	lid – flat areas sides of lid inner lid if already labelled	bottom with dropped cups top – indented areas that will not support labelling UPC symbol
Frozen foods – Foil container, plastic or cardboard lid (e.g., frozen cake, frozen lasagna)	top	foil container UPC symbol (if on included area)
Frozen foods – Foil container, plastic or cardboard lid and overwrap (e.g., frozen cake)	lid or overwrap, whichever is larger	lid or overwrap, whichever is smaller foil container UPC symbol (if on included area)
Multi-pack with dropped units (plastic cups) (e.g., multi-pack of pudding, multi-pack of yogurt with common lid)	common area (top) visible area of dropped units	open ended windows areas of dropped cups that are not visible at time of purchase (facing inward) bottom of cups UPC symbol
Multi-pack – Transparent cellophane wrapper over fully labelled individual units	If NFt is on outer packaging, ADS includes total outer package If NFt is on individual unit, ADS is based on surface of individual unit. Note, NFt and all mandatory information must be visible at time of purchase.	UPC symbol
Paper label inside clear packaging	whole length of panels all panels that may support inner paper label	areas where inner paper label may not be supported (e.g., cup area of egg carton) UPC symbol
Pillow packs	front back sides > 4 cm wide	sealed seams sides < 4 cm wide UPC symbol
Available display surface for tags for ornamental containers for packages to which a label cannot be applied for small packages to which alternate methods of presentation apply	both sides of tag However, any version (size) of an appropriate format may be used	UPC symbol
Tetra pak	Top Front Back Sides	bottom sides – folded corners (folded from the top panel) top – foil or plastic covered spout or straw insertion area top and back seams, unless printed information exists in these areas cellophane covering for straw UPC symbol
Tubs – Printed plastic (e.g., yogurt, margarine)	lid (see next column) sides (full circumference)	lid – ridge on edge; see Lids on jars and tubs sides – top ridge, where lid covers side sides – curve at bottom bottom UPC symbol
Tubs – Plastic with paper label (e.g., deli tubs)	lid (see next column) sides (full circumference) bottom	lid – raised lip or ridge; see Lids on jars and tubs sides – top ridge, where lid covers side sides – curve at bottom bottom – ridges UPC symbol
Tubs – Cardboard (e.g., ice cream)	sides (full circumference) lid, including rim if cardboard	sides – area covered by rim of lid lid – plastic rim, unless already labelled bottom UPC symbol
Wrappers, tube shapes	all sides	gathered ends unless covered by a sticker central seam UPC symbol

Bacon packages

The space equivalent to the length of the package by the width of a strip of bacon, that allows the customer to see the bacon, is excluded in the calculation of the ADS no matter what the size of the window is.

A transparent area the width of one bacon slice is provided on the back of the package, allowing the consumer to evaluate the lean/fat composition of the bacon — back

On this package of bacon, a transparent area the width of one bacon slice is provided on the back of the package, allowing the consumer to evaluate the lean/fat composition of the bacon. This area is not included in ADS.

The bacon is placed in such a way that the consumer may evaluate the fat/lean composition of the bacon from the front window of the package — back

In this package, the bacon is placed in such a way that the consumer may evaluate the fat/lean composition of the bacon from the front window of the package. Nevertheless, the area equivalent to the width of one bacon slice by the whole length of the package is still excluded from the ADS calculation.

Bags – Flat, back central seam

Bag of chips - front view — e.g., chip bag – front

Bag of chips - flat, back central seam — e.g., chip bag – back

Bags with gathered ends

This bag of bread has gathered ends, that is, overhanging plastic material that is twisted and tied. Instructions for calculating ADS are below. — e.g., plastic bread bags

Sides: Side areas are measured from crust to crust in the case of bread bags, or from the end of the bag to where the gathering starts and obstructs reading of printed material.

This bag of pasta has gathered ends, that is, overhanging material that is twisted and tied.

End: ADS includes the whole end of the bag.

This bag of white bread has gathered material in the middle of the package rather than the end. The gathered material is not included in ADS calculations.

Note

For gathered bags other than bread bags, the suitability of the end of the bag as ADS must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Bags – Cookie

Front view of bag of cookie - available display surface includes the area from the bottom of the bag to the top where the closure folds over — Front

Back view of bag of cookies - available display surface includes the area from the bottom of bag to the top where it is covered by the closure (fold). — Back

Bottom view of bag of cookies - available display surface does not include the seam and smaller bottom panel. — Bottom

Bottom: ADS does not include the seam and smaller bottom panel. The typical cookie bag is constructed in such a manner that the smaller bottom panel is very narrow. Very small continuous surfaces are not considered ADS.

Bags – Flat pouch without gussets

A gusset is a folded or pleated inset area at the bottom or sides of a bag.

This the front view of a bag of seasoning mix. It is a flat, square pouch without gussets. — Front

This is the back view of a bag of seasoning mix. It is a flat, square pouch without gussets. — Back

Bags – Stand-up pouch with inset gusset

Note

The best way to evaluate whether the bottom of a bag with an inset gusset should be considered ADS, is to evaluate the product as sold, i.e., a full bag. The bottoms of some large bags flatten out to large flat areas of ADS that may support easy to read information when the bag has been filled. The bottoms of some small bags, on the other hand, may never be considered ADS because the area is small or because the bag retains the inset pleated shape even when the package is full.

This is the front and back view of a stand-up pouch of peanuts. The bag stands on its own and has a large, flat bottom when full. Since the product is sold as a full bag, the bottom can support readable information and is therefore considered part of the ADS. — Front/Back

This is the bottom view of the same pouch of peanuts lying down on its front side. The bottom is a large, flat surface when it is full. Since the product is sold as a full bag, the bottom can support readable information and is therefore considered part of the ADS. — Bottom

This is the bottom and side view of the same pouch of peanuts lying down on its front side when the bag is empty and collapsed. The bottom is no longer flat and the pouch could not stand up if put upright. However, when the product is sold it is a full bag with a flat bottom, so the bottom is considered part of the ADS calculation. — Collapsed Bag

The bottom of this large stand-up pouch would be considered ADS as it presents a large flat surface when the bag has been filled.

This is the front and back view of a stand-up pouch of soup mix. The bag stands on its own and has a very small flat bottom when full. — Front/Back

This is the bottom view of the same pouch of soup mix lying down on its front side. The bottom is flat when it is full, but it is a very small space with a pleated shape that cannot support readable information. — Bottom

This is the bottom and side view of the same pouch of soup mix lying down on its front side when the bag is empty and collapsed. The bottom is no longer flat and is completely folded over. It is not part of the ADS calculation. — Collapsed Bag

The bottom of this small stand-up pouch would not be considered ADS as the area is very small and the gusset retains its inset pleated shape when the package is full.

Bags – Stand-up pouch with flat bottom

This is the front view of a stand-up pouch of seasoning mix. The bag stands on its own because it has a flat bottom. — Front

This is the back view of a stand-up pouch of seasoning mix. The bag stands on its own because it has a flat bottom. — Back

This is the bottom and side view of the same pouch of seasoning mix lying down on its front side when the bag is empty and collapsed. The bottom is still flat even when the bag is empty. It is part of the ADS calculation. — Bottom

Baked goods – Fresh, not packaged at retail: rigid plastic containers

e.g., "clam shells"

Baked goods are generally fragile and many will be damaged if turned upside down to view labelling information on the bottom of the container. When evaluating whether the bottom of the container should be considered as ADS, it should be taken into consideration that the product may be handled by many consumers and repeatedly turned upside down before purchase.

This is the top view of a cake is in rigid plastic packaging. Although there are ridges along the side of the lid, there is a raised area that can support a label. The ridging on the sides can usually support a label.

This is the bottom view of a cake in rigid plastic packaging. The label from the lid continues to fold over the package onto part of the bottom.

Top: ADS includes the area that can support a label, e.g., raised panels.

Sides: The tightly repeated ridging on the sides of plastic containers will usually support a paper label.

Bars – Foil wrapped or wrapped in similar material

Bars such as this peanut butter bar are usually wrapped in foil or similar packaging material, with end and central seams. See information below. — e.g., energy bars, granola bars, etc.

This bar has labeling information provided on the back flap of the central seam. See information below. — e.g., energy bars, granola bars, etc.

These bars are usually wrapped in foil or similar packaging material, with end and central seams.

Manufacturers often use the flap to provide labelling information. When labelling information is present, this area is considered part of the ADS. In some cases, one side of the central seam/flap contains printed information while the other side has the eye spot. The seam side with printed information is considered ADS, while the other side is not.

Bars – Paper label over foil wrap

bars with paper label over foil wrap — e.g., candy bars

Bottles and jars – Regular cylindrical glass and plastic

This image shows regular cylindrical glass and plastic bottles and jars, such as jars of sauce. For this category, the ADS calculation includes the full circumference of the sides measured from the heel of the jar to the curve of the neck, and the lid unless a specific exception applies.

Bottles and jars – Non-uniform, sold by volume; glass and plastic

This image shows beverages which are in non-uniform glass and plastic bottles and jars, sold by volume. For this category, a specific formula is used to calculate ADS. — Non-uniform shape

Cans – Metal cans with paper labels

Metals cans with paper labels — e.g., soup can

metal cans has labelled information other than coding or the univeral product code symbol — e.g., soup can

ADS includes the area of the sides of a can but does not include the top or bottom of the can unless the top or bottom has been labelled with information other than coding or the UPC symbol. In these cases, the area with labelling information is also included in the calculation of ADS.

Cans – Flat with print directly on can

Areas with keys make the space unavailable for labelling.
Available display surface includes the sides of larger cans for example: cans of ham

When a flat can is further packaged in a box or overwrap, then the outer packaging is the label — **Sides**: ADS includes the sides of larger cans (such as cans of ham), but not sides of slim cans such as sardine cans.

Note

When a flat can is further packaged in a box or overwrap, then the outer packaging is the label. The inner can is no longer considered the label or the ADS.

Cans – Cardboard or metal with plastic lid

This can of mixed nuts is a metal can with a plastic lid. To calculate the ADS of these cans, the top of the lid and the full circumference of the sides are included. — e.g. hot chocolate, mixed nuts, coffee can

Cardboard cartons – Milk, cream or juice

milk carton with gabled ends

The bottom of the carton is not included in the ADS for a number of reasons. Milk and cream cartons are delivered flat to the dairy. The top and bottom seams are formed and heat-sealed during the filling process. The bottom is an area where many seams come together and is consequently bumpy, which is not conducive to clear labelling.

Catch weight meat products of similar size and form

These pork hocks are individually shrink wrapped. The ADS includes the front and back of the package, and is the area of largest rectangle that will fit on the front or back panel, respectively, of 80% of the packages produced. See description below. — e.g., pork hocks

These products are individually shrink wrapped. In some cases the label is printed directly on the packaging material, while in other cases paper labels are applied. These products are similar but not uniform in size and shape. This does not apply to products that are highly variable in size such as frozen turkeys.

Egg cartons

The nutrition facts table may be printed on the inside of the egg carton lid. Description follows.

For egg cartons (flat top cartons made of pulp, foam or clear plastic), the NFt may be printed on the inside of the lid. There is no requirement for the producer to indicate on the outer surface that the NFt appears on the inside of the carton. When the inside of the lid contains any written material, mandatory or promotional, the inside of the lid is considered part of the ADS calculation.

Frozen foods – Foil container, plastic or cardboard lid

This frozen cake is an example of a frozen food in a foil container with a plastic or cardboard lid. — e.g., frozen cake

A foil container is excluded from the ADS calculation because a paper label will not adhere to the foil due to the condensation in the frozen environment.

Frozen foods – Foil container, plastic or cardboard lid and overwrap

e.g., cake, lasagna

If the UPC is located on a non-ADS surface (i.e., foil container), the area of the UPC is not subtracted in the ADS calculation.

Multi-pack with dropped units (plastic cups)

The entire top of the yogurt multi-pack connects four small square individual containers. The top is considered available display surface. — e.g., multi-pack of pudding, multi-pack of yogurt with common lid
**Yogurt multi-pack**

Common top: The entire top of the yogurt multi-pack is considered ADS. However, it is not considered a single continuous surface, as the top is broken into smaller units as it is consumed. Each individual lid is considered a continuous surface.

For this boxed multi-pack, the available display surface includes both the top and the sides of the box, but not the ends because the box is open-ended. — **Boxed multi-pack**

Common top – Box: ADS includes both the top and sides of the box, but not the ends if the ends are absent (i.e., if the box is open ended).

Multi-pack – Transparent cellophane wrapper over fully labelled individual units

Fully prepackaged units are sometimes sold in a variety of formats. For example, single-serving units of juice in tetra pak containers may be sold individually and the same product may also be sold in multi-packs of 3, 5, or 10 units, etc.

When product is sold both individually and in multi-packs, special consideration is given to the labelling of the multi-packs with transparent outer packaging, as each individual unit is already required to be fully labelled with a NFt and is visible through the outer packaging material. Two options exist:

For this multipack of six boxed juices, the ADS includes the total outer package. See description below.

The NFt may appear on the outer cellophane wrapper. In this case, the ADS includes total outer package. The choice of format and version (size) of format may be based on the ADS of this surface.

This image shows that for a multipack of six boxed juices, the NFT is displayed on each individual unit. See description below.

The NFt may appear on the individual units providing that all mandatory information is visible at the time of purchase (including: common name, ingredients, Nutrition Facts table, dealer identification, etc.). The choice of format and version (size) of format may be based on the ADS of the individual unit.

Pillow packs

Sides of the pillow package would be considered available display surface as the sides are greater than 4 centimetre.

The sides of the pillow package would not be includes in the available display surface as the sides are lesser than 4 centimetre.

The sides of the pillow package on the left would be considered ADS as they are greater than 4 cm, while the sides of the pillow package on the right would not be included in the ADS calculation.

Tetra pak

This image shows that tetra pack packaging is available in a number of sizes (volumes) and shapes including rectangular box shapes and octagonal box shapes, such as large rectangular juice boxes.

This is a side view of rectangular tetra pack packaging.

This is a bottom view of rectangular tetra pack packaging.

Tetra Pak packaging is available in a number of sizes (volumes) and shapes including rectangular box shapes and octagonal box shapes.

Tubs – Printed plastic

This image shows conical yogurt and margarine tubs, which are examples of tubs with printed plastic labeling. See description below. — e.g., yogurt, margarine

Sides: When calculating the ADS of the sides of a plastic tub, do not include the bottom curve (if any), the ridges at the top of the tub and the area covered by the lip of the lid.

Side view of the plastic tub with the nutrition facts table

To calculate the area of the sides of a tub, use the mathematical formula for the area of a conical frustum (refer to Mathematical calculations for the area of some geometric forms).

Tubs – Plastic with paper label

This cylindrical tub of olives is an example of a plastic tub with paper labels on the top lid. — e.g., deli tubs with stickers

This cylindrical tub of nuts is an example of a plastic tub with a paper label located at the bottom of the tub. — e.g., deli tubs with stickers

Tubs – Cardboard

This cylindrical ice cream tub is an example of a cardboard tub. The Nutrition Facts table is on the side of the package. See description below. — e.g., ice cream

This Square ice cream tub is also a cardboard tub. The Nutrition Facts table is on the side of the package. See description below. — e.g., ice cream

Lid: It is impossible to print on some of the plastics used in the construction of these lid rims. As it is difficult to determine the type of plastic used, plastic rims are not considered ADS unless printed material is present in this area. However, if the rim is constructed of cardboard, it is considered ADS.

Sides: To calculate the area of the sides of a round tub, use the mathematical formula for the area of a conical frustum (refer to Mathematical calculations for the area of some geometric forms). Include only the area visible at the time of purchase (i.e., do not include the area covered by the rim of the lid.)

Wrappers, tube shapes

These packages of bologna are an example of tub-shaped packages with wrappers. All sides of the packages are included in the ADS calculation, excluding any gathered ends unless covered by a sticker, the central seam, and the UPC code. — e.g., bologna

Wrapper, tube shape - the gathered ends are covered with a flat sticker, the ends are considered available display surface — e.g., bologna

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Date modified:: 2019-01-15

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Available display surface (ADS)
Reference information

Mathematical calculations for the area of some geometric forms

Calculation methods for different packaging types