Free tool · NHTSA vPIC data
Free VIN Decoder — decode any 17-digit VIN
Enter any 17-character Vehicle Identification Number to instantly see its year, make, model, trim, engine, transmission, drivetrain, assembly plant and safety equipment — decoded live from NHTSA's official vPIC database, free with no sign-up.
What each position in a VIN means
Under ISO 3779 and 49 CFR Part 565, a 17-character VIN is a strict blueprint, not a random serial. Every character below is assigned a job by the manufacturer.
| Position | Section | What it encodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Manufacturer Identifier | Country of final assembly (1/4/5 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = Korea, S = UK, W = Germany, Y = Sweden/Finland, Z = Italy). |
| 2–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier | Manufacturer and vehicle division — together with position 1 this is the WMI. |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Body style, engine displacement and cylinders, transmission and restraint systems. |
| 9 | Check digit | Check digit — a weighted checksum that proves the other 16 characters weren't mistyped. |
| 10 | Model year | Model year code (A–Y skipping I, O, Q, U, Z; then 1–9, repeating on a 30-year cycle). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The specific factory that assembled the vehicle. |
| 12–17 | Serial number | Production sequence number — the vehicle's unique serial off that line. |
VIN country codes (first character)
| 1, 4, 5 | United States |
| 2 | Canada |
| 3 | Mexico |
| 9 | Brazil |
| J | Japan |
| K | South Korea |
| L | China |
| S | United Kingdom |
| V | France / Spain |
| W | Germany |
| Y | Sweden / Finland |
| Z | Italy |
Common WMI codes by brand
| 1FT / 1FA / 1FM | Ford | United States |
| 1GC / 1GN / 1G1 | Chevrolet | United States |
| 1C4 / 1C6 / 3C6 | Jeep / Ram | USA & Mexico |
| 5TF / 4T1 / 5TD | Toyota | United States |
| JTM / JTD / JTE | Toyota | Japan |
| 1HG / 19X / 5FN | Honda | United States |
| JHM / JHL | Honda | Japan |
| WBA / WBS / WBX | BMW | Germany |
| WDD / WDC / W1K | Mercedes-Benz | Germany |
| WVW / WV1 / 3VW | Volkswagen | Germany / Mexico |
| 5YJ / 7SA | Tesla | United States |
| KNA / KND / 5XY | Kia | Korea & USA |
What a free VIN decode does and doesn't show
Included here, free
- ✓ Model year, make, model, trim and series
- ✓ Body class, doors and vehicle type
- ✓ Engine cylinders, displacement and horsepower
- ✓ Transmission style, speeds and drive type
- ✓ GVWR and assembly plant city / country
- ✓ Factory ABS, stability control and airbag locations
Not in the VIN itself
- ✗ Accident and collision history
- ✗ Salvage, junk or rebuilt title brands
- ✗ Odometer readings and rollback checks
- ✗ Ownership, lien and theft records
Those come from title and insurance databases, not the number stamped on the car. A decode tells you how the vehicle was built — a paid history report tells you what happened to it afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a VIN?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every road vehicle. It encodes the manufacturer, model, model year, plant of manufacture, and a serial number.
Is this VIN decoder free?
Yes. It uses NHTSA's public vPIC database and returns results instantly with no sign-up, no limits, and no data stored.
Where do I find my VIN?
Your VIN is on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver-side door jamb sticker, your title, registration, and insurance card.
Why do some fields come back empty?
NHTSA's decoder relies on data submitted by manufacturers. Older vehicles, aftermarket conversions, and some trims may have incomplete records for certain fields like horsepower or trim.
What is the check digit in a VIN?
Position 9 is a checksum calculated from the other 16 characters using the formula in 49 CFR Part 565. Our decoder verifies it as you type, so a mistyped or fabricated VIN is flagged before you even search.
Does a VIN decode show accident or title history?
No. Decoding a VIN reveals how the vehicle was built at the factory — year, make, model, trim, engine, plant and original safety equipment. Ownership, accident, salvage-title and odometer records come from paid history reports and are not part of the VIN itself.
Can I decode a partial VIN?
The first 11 characters already identify the manufacturer, body style, engine family, model year and plant. Our character map explains those positions even without the full 17, but a full VIN is required for the official NHTSA decode.
Explore more
Want deeper, verified specs by model year instead of a single VIN? Browse fuel economy rankings, use our vehicle comparison tool, or try the MPG calculator.