Tesla Vin Decoder - das simple Tool

Tesla VIN Decoder Tool

The 17-digit Tesla VIN - or Vehicle Identity Number - provides information about all the details of your Tesla Model 3 or Y. With it, you can find out where your Tesla was built, which battery is installed, and much more.

So that you don't have to decode it manually, we have developed a Tesla VIN Decoder Tool, which we provide here for free. Simply enter your Tesla VIN, click on Decode, and you'll receive all the relevant information.

Tesla VIN Decoder

With this tool, you can decode your Tesla's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and obtain detailed information about the vehicle, such as the model, battery, and place of manufacture.

Enter your Tesla's VIN:


You can find your Tesla's VIN in the Tesla App by scrolling all the way to the bottom.

If you'd like to know more details about your Tesla, we also have all the information behind our Tesla VIN Decoder Tool. In this article, we explain the meaning of each digit and letter.

Key Benefits

  • The Tesla VIN is a 17-digit unique number that provides information about the vehicle.
  • You can find it in the Tesla App or at various places on the vehicle.
  • The first 11 digits of the VIN provide information about the origin, model, body, and safety system.
  • The last 6 digits are the unique serial number of the vehicle.
  • Our Tesla VIN Decoder Tool can decode the VIN quickly and easily.

What is the Tesla VIN or Chassis Number?

The Tesla VIN - or Vehicle Identification Number - is a unique number assigned only to your Tesla. The Tesla VIN consists of 17 characters, where the first eleven places have a specific meaning that we explain below. The last six characters are a unique serial number. In German-speaking countries, the Tesla VIN is also known as the Tesla FIN - or Fahrzeugidentifikationsnummer.

How to Find Your Tesla VIN

You can easily find the VIN of your Tesla Model 3 or Y. Simply open the Tesla App and scroll down to the bottom. You'll find it there. If you don't have your phone handy, you can also find the Tesla VIN in the registration papers.

Tesla VIN finder

You can also find the VIN on your Model Y or Model 3. The number is located on a plaque at the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side. You will also find it on the sticker in the driver's side door frame when you open the door.

Tesla VIN - Meaning of the Individual Digits

Once you have found your VIN, you can start decoding. Either use our Tesla VIN Decoder Tool at the beginning of this article, or do it manually with the information we provide below.

Digits 1–3: Manufacturer and Country

The first three digits of the chassis number indicate the country where your Tesla was produced and the manufacturer. The following digits specify where exactly:

  • 5YJ: Tesla Model 3 and Model S USA
  • 7G2: Tesla Semi USA
  • 7SA: Tesla Model Y and X USA
  • SFZ: Tesla Roadster UK
  • LRW: Tesla in Shanghai/China
  • XP7: Tesla in Grünheide/Germany

Digit 4: Vehicle Model

The fourth position of the Tesla VIN defines the vehicle model. Since there aren't many models at Tesla, this part of the VIN is easy to identify:

  • S: Tesla Model S
  • 3: Tesla Model 3
  • X: Tesla Model X
  • Y: Tesla Model Y
  • C: Tesla Cybertruck
  • R: Tesla Roadster
  • T: Tesla Semi

Digit 5: Body Type

In the fifth position, the body type of the Tesla model is defined. This refers to the number of doors, vehicle type (hatchback, sedan, etc.), and whether it is left-hand or right-hand drive.

  • A: 5 doors, left-hand drive, hatchback (Model S) / sedan (Model 3)
  • B: 5 doors, right-hand drive, hatchback (Model S) / sedan (Model 3) / cab (Tesla Semi)
  • C: 5 doors, left-hand drive, SUV
  • D: 5 doors, right-hand drive, SUV
  • E: Left-hand drive, 4 doors, sedan (Model 3) / 3 doors, convertible (Roadster)
  • F: 4 doors, right-hand drive, sedan
  • G: 5 doors, left-hand drive, SUV crossover
  • H: 5 doors, right-hand drive, SUV crossover

As seen here, this digit is partly dependent on the previous one. So, just use our Tesla VIN Decoder Tool at the top of the page to avoid any confusion.

Digit 6: Installed Safety System

Digit 6 of the Tesla VIN describes the vehicle's installed safety system, such as seat belts, airbags, detection systems, and pedestrian protection.

  • 1: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS
  • 3: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags
  • 4: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags
  • 5: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, side airbags
  • 6: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, side airbags
  • 7: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, side airbags, active hood*
  • 8: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, side airbags, active hood*
  • A: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 3 second row, 2 third row), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS**
  • B: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 second row, 2 third row), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS**
  • C: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 2 second row, 2 third row), front airbags, side airbags, PODS**
  • D: Type 2 seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS**
  • E: Tesla Semi only

*Active hood is a pedestrian protection system described in the Tesla manual. If a pedestrian collision occurs, sensors in the hood detect the impact and raise a portion of the hood to reduce the risk of serious head injury.

**PODS stands for Passenger Occupant Detection System. It detects which seat a passenger is sitting in and distinguishes between, for example, an adult and a child. If the airbags deploy, the strength and direction of the airbags are adjusted accordingly.

There are a few exceptions for this digit, which apply to the Tesla Road ster, Semi, and Cybertruck. Here, the digits stand for the following:

Digit 6 in Tesla Roadster: Region / Left or Right-Hand Drive

  • 1: USA / LHD (left-hand drive)
  • 2: Europe / LHD (left-hand drive)
  • 3: Europe / RHD (right-hand drive)
  • 6: Canada / LHD (left-hand drive)
  • 8: Hong Kong / RHD (right-hand drive)

Digit 6 in Tesla Semi Truck: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

  • E: Class 8 (Four or fewer axle single-trailer trucks, greater than 33,001 lbs.) – Semi

Digit 6 in Tesla Cybertruck: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

  • G: Class G – Between 3629 kg and 4082 kg (Cybertruck only)
  • H: Class H – Between 4082 kg and 4536 kg (Cybertruck only)

Digit 7: Battery Type and Drive Type

When decoding the seventh position of the Tesla VIN, you will find the battery type and drive type.

  • E: NMC/NCA battery (in Shanghai-produced cars). Except when digit 8 is "S" and the vehicle is not produced in Shanghai, then E stands for BYD LFP battery. Otherwise, E simply stands for "Electric."
  • F: LFP battery. If digit 8 is "S," the battery comes from CATL.
  • H: NCA (Lithium-ion battery) – High Capacity (Model S 85 kWh)
  • S: NCA (Lithium-ion battery) – Standard Capacity (Model S 60 kWh)
  • V: NCA (Lithium-ion battery) – Ultra High Capacity (Model S 90 kWh)

Before 2014, this digit represented the restraint system from 2008 to 2011, and from 2012 and 2013, it stood for charging power. The letters at that time meant:

  • A: Charger with 10 kW charging power
  • B: Charger with 20 kW charging power
  • C: Charger with 10 kW charging power and DC fast charger
  • D: Charger with 20 kW charging power and DC fast charger

Again, there is an exception for the Tesla Roadster. Here, digit 7 represents the restraint system.

  • 1: USA Type 2 seat belts, dual airbags
  • A: USA Type 2 seat belts, dual airbags
  • B: Outside the USA

Digit 8: The Engines

Behind digit 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number is the engine type of the Tesla. There are several engines to choose from, especially since Tesla Model 3 and Y have models with both one engine and two engines - known as Dual Motor vehicles.

  • 1: Single motor – Standard – 3-phase A/C induction (Model S and X) (from 2016)
  • 2: Two motors – Standard – 3-phase A/C induction (Model S and X) (from 2016)
  • 3: Single motor – Performance – 3-phase A/C induction (Model S and X) (from 01.08.2015)
  • 4: Two motors – Performance 3-phase A/C induction (from 01.08.2015)
  • 5: Two motors (Model S and Model X from 2021)
  • 6: Three motors (Model S Plaid and Model X Plaid from 2021)
  • A: Single motor – Standard or Performance – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: 3#RP – (Model 3) (from 2020)
  • B: Two motors – Standard – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: 3#DB – (Model 3) (from 2020)
  • C: Two motors – Performance – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: 3#DP – (Model 3) (from 2020)
  • D: Single motor – Standard or Performance – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: Y#RP – (Model Y) (from 2020)
  • E: Two motors – Standard – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: Y#DB – (Model Y) (from 2020)
  • F: Two motors – Performance – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: Y#DP – (Model Y) (from 2020)
  • G: Single motor – Standard A/C motor, Tier 4 battery (51-60 kWh) – (Model S 60)
  • J: Single motor – Standard – Motor type: "Hairpin Windings" Variant: Y#RP/3#RP – (Model 3 and Y) (from 2020)
  • K: Two motors – Standard – Motor type: "Hairpin Windings" Variant: Y#DB/3#DB – (Model 3 and Y) (from 2021)
  • L: Two motors – Performance – Motor type: "Hairpin Windings" Variant: Y#DP/3#DP – (Model 3 and Y) (from 2021)
  • N: Single motor – Standard A/C motor, Tier 7 battery (81-90 kWh) – (Model S 85)
  • P: Single motor – Performance, Tier 7 battery (81-90 kWh) – (Model S P85 / P85+)
  • R: Single motor – Standard – Motor type: "Wire Windings" Variant: Y#RB/3#RB – (Model 3 and Y) (from 2021)
  • S: Single motor – Standard – Motor type: "Hairpin Windings" Variant: Y#RB/3#RB – (Model 3 and Y) (from 2021)
  • T: Two motors – Performance (Model 3 Highland)

For older Tesla models, the digits used to stand for different motors, which are no longer available today.

  • 1: Single motor – Standard or Performance – 3-phase A/C induction (only Standard after 01.08.2015) (2014 – 2015)
  • 2: Two motors – Standard or Performance – 3-phase A/C induction (only Standard after 01.08.2015) (2014 – 2015)
  • A: Single motor – Standard Model 3 (2017 – 2018)
  • A: Single motor – Standard or Performance Model 3 (2019)
  • B: Two motors – Standard Model 3 (2017-2018)
  • B: Two motors – Standard or Performance Model 3 (2019)
  • C: Single motor – Standard A/C motor, Tier 2 battery (31-40 kWh) – (Model S 40) (2012-2013)

As with the other digits, there are again some exceptions in the eighth position:

Exception in Roadster: Motor (Drive Unit)
  • 1: Tesla M6B motor
  • 3: Tesla M6S motor
  • B: Tesla 56C transmission – manual 2-speed with electric shift

Exception in Semi: Motor/Brake System (Drive Unit/Braking System)

  • B: Semi truck: Two rear axle motors, air brakes
Exception in Cybertruck: Motor/Brake System (Drive Unit/Braking System)
  • D: Two motors – Standard
  • E: Three motors – Performance

Digit 9: Check Digit

The ninth position of the Tesla VIN contains the check digit, which is used to validate the VIN. This can quickly determine if the VIN is correct.

The Tesla check digit is calculated as follows: All letters of the VIN are first removed and replaced by numbers according to the table below. Next, each of the remaining 16 numbers of the chassis number is multiplied by a factor. This factor runs from 2 to 10 and then from 2 to 9, with the VIN proceeding from right to left.

The 17th digit of the VIN is multiplied by 2, the 16th by 3, the 15th by 4, and so on. The ninth digit is multiplied by 10. Then the multiplication starts again with factor 2 at the 8th digit. Finally, the first digit of the Tesla VIN is multiplied by 9. The results of all multiplications are now added up and then divided by 11. The resulting remainder (0 to 10) gives the check digit of the VIN. If the remainder is ten, the check digit "X" is used.

A, Ä, J 1
B, K, S 2
C, L, T 3
D, M, U, Ü 4
E, N, V 5
F, W 6
G, P, X 7
H, Q, Y 8
I, R, Z 9
O, Ö 0

Digit 10: Model Year

Digit 10 of the Tesla VIN is much simpler. It stands for the year of manufacture or model year of the vehicle.

  • 6: 2006
  • 7: 2007
  • 8: 2008
  • 9: 2009
  • A: 2010
  • B: 2011
  • C: 2012
  • D: 2013
  • E: 2014
  • F: 2015
  • G: 2016
  • H: 2017
  • J: 2018
  • K: 2019
  • L: 2020
  • M: 2021
  • N: 2022
  • P: 2023
  • R: 2024
  • S: 2025

Digit 11: Place of Production

Tesla Production Plant

The eleventh digit describes the production location of the Tesla. This allows you to find out in which factory your Tesla was built. Here you can find an overview of all Tesla factories.

  • 1: Menlo Park, California, USA
  • 3: Hethel, UK (original Roadster only)
  • A: Austin, Texas, USA
  • B: Berlin/Grünheide, Germany
  • C: Shanghai, China
  • F: Fremont, California, USA
  • G: Berlin/Grünheide, Germany
  • N: Reno, Nevada, USA (Semi Truck only)
  • P: Palo Alto, California, USA (vehicles before Fremont factory opening only)
  • R: Development / Research

Digits 12-17: The Six-Digit Serial Number

The last six digits of the Tesla VIN are a unique serial number that uniquely identifies your Tesla vehicle. This is unique to each vehicle. Usually, the last 6 digits are numbers. Exceptions are the Founder Series, the Signature Series (the first 1,000 vehicles produced of a model), and the first 100,000 Model S produced.

  • F: Founder Series Vehicle (Very rare. One of the first vehicles produced of a model.)
  • S: Signature Series (one of the first 1,000 vehicles produced of a model)
  • P: Production Vehicle (P only in the first 100,000 Model S. Then replaced by digit 0-9)

Otherwise, Tesla also uses designations here for various prototypes.

  • A: Alpha Prototype
  • B: Beta Prototype
  • E: Evaluation Prototype
  • M: Drivable Prototype
  • R: Release Candidate
  • V: Validation Prototype

Conclusion

You made it through and read the meaning of all the digits. So, the next time you want to decode a Tesla VIN, you'll know how. But if you'd like to make your life easier, just use our Tesla VIN Decoder Tool at the top of this page. With it, you can decode the Tesla VIN in a few seconds.

If you're interested in topics around Tesla, you can find many great articles in our blog or check out our YouTube channel. Do you still need accessories for your Model 3 or Model Y? At Tesla Outfitters you will find high-quality accessories for your Tesla.