Free VIN lookup

Free VIN decoder with check-digit test

Paste a VIN to check it's valid, read the model year, and decode the year, make, model, trim, engine, drive, transmission and plant from NHTSA's vPIC database.

Free, no sign-upYour VIN is sent to NHTSA's public APINothing is saved
1-3 maker (WMI)4-8 vehicle attributes9 check digit10 model year11 plant12-17 serial

The check below runs in your browser. When you click Decode, the VIN is sent to NHTSA's public API (vPIC) and nothing else is sent. We don't store it.

Checked in your browser-
Check digit (pos. 9)-
Model year (pos. 10)-
Maker code (WMI)-
Serial (12-17)-

NHTSA decodeNot run yet
-

In short

A 17-character VIN encodes the maker (positions 1-3), vehicle attributes (4-8), a check digit (9), the model year (10), the plant (11) and the serial number (12-17). This decoder checks the check digit in your browser, then sends the VIN to NHTSA's free vPIC API and shows year, make, model, trim, body, engine, drive and plant.

How it works

How to use the Free VIN Decoder

1

Paste the VIN

From the windshield, door jamb, registration or insurance card. Spaces and dashes are ignored.

2

Check it

The tool tests length, characters and the position-9 check digit, and reads the model year from position 10.

3

Decode with NHTSA

Click Decode: the VIN goes to NHTSA's vPIC API and the year, make, model, engine and more come back.

What it does

What the free vin decoder works out

Check digit test

The 49 CFR 565 calculation, so a mistyped character is caught before you decode.

Model year from position 10

Read in your browser, using position 7 to tell 1980-2009 from 2010-2039.

NHTSA decode

Year, make, model, trim, body, doors, engine, fuel, drive, transmission, GVWR and plant.

Error notes

NHTSA's own notes when a VIN doesn't decode cleanly.

Copy summary

One line with year, make, model, engine and VIN for a repair order or estimate.

VIN rules
17 characters, letters A-Z except I, O and Q, plus digits 0-9 (49 CFR 565.13)
Check digit
Position 9: letter values × weights 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,10,0,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2, sum mod 11 (10 = X)
Model year
Position 10 code; position 7 a letter means 2010-2039 for cars and light trucks
Data
NHTSA vPIC DecodeVinValues; the VIN is sent there and nowhere else
Cost
Free, no sign-up, nothing stored by us
FAQ

Questions about the free vin decoder

How do I decode a VIN for free?
Paste the 17-character VIN here and click Decode. The VIN is sent to NHTSA's free vPIC database, which returns the year, make, model, trim, body, engine and plant the manufacturer reported to NHTSA.
What is the VIN check digit?
Position 9. Each character gets a value (letters per a table in 49 CFR 565.15), each value is multiplied by its position's weight, and the sum is divided by 11. The remainder, 0-9 or X for 10, is the check digit. 1HGCM82633A004352 checks out with a 3.
Why does a VIN fail the check digit?
Usually a typo: a B read as an 8, an S as a 5. VINs never use I, O or Q. Vehicles built for North America must have a valid check digit; some built for other markets don't use one.
How do I find the model year from a VIN?
Position 10 is the year code: letters A to Y (skipping I, O, Q, U and Z) and digits 1 to 9, repeating every 30 years. For cars and light trucks, a letter in position 7 means 2010-2039 and a digit means 1980-2009.
Is my VIN sent anywhere?
Only to NHTSA's public vPIC API when you click Decode. The check digit and model year are worked out in your browser first. We don't store the VIN.
Why are some fields blank?
NHTSA only has what the manufacturer reported. A blank field means NHTSA has no data for it, not that the vehicle doesn't have that feature.
Keep going

Guides and features for this

Vehicles, VINs and mileage in BayRobinHelp centerRecall check by VINBayRobinHow to check open recalls at your shopGuideAI receptionist that gets the year, make and modelBayRobinAll guides on running an auto repair shopTopic guides
Sources

Where the formulas and rules come from

Checked October 2026. Vehicle details come from NHTSA's vPIC database as reported by manufacturers.

Link to this tool

Useful for your team or your readers? Paste this into a blog post, forum or resource page.

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