Official NHTSA vPIC data · live lookup
Free VIN decoder
Paste any 17-character Vehicle Identification Number to decode its exact year, make, model, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, straight from the same federal database regulators use. No signup, no fee.
01Anatomy
What the 17 characters mean
World Manufacturer Identifier
Country, manufacturer and division. 1/4/5 = USA, J = Japan, K = South Korea, W = Germany, 2 = Canada.
Vehicle Descriptor
Model line, body style, restraint system and engine type, the core of the car's identity.
Check digit
A mathematically computed digit that validates the entire VIN and exposes fakes and typos.
Model year
A character cycling every 30 years: R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026, V = 2027.
Assembly plant
The exact factory where the vehicle was built.
Serial number
The vehicle's unique production sequence at that plant.
02FAQ
VIN decoder questions
Is this VIN decoder really free?
Yes. There is no account, no fee and no limit. Results are read live from the official NHTSA vPIC public database.
Where can I find my VIN?
Look at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, the sticker in the driver's door jamb, or your registration and insurance documents.
Why is my VIN not decoding?
VINs are 17 characters and never contain the letters I, O or Q. Vehicles built before 1981 used older formats that the modern decoder does not cover.
What data does a VIN decode return?
Model year, make, model, trim, body class, engine, drivetrain, transmission, fuel type, gross vehicle weight rating and the assembly plant that built the vehicle.