VIN Validator

About this tool

Check whether a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number is valid using the official check-digit calculation (position 9).

Example

Input: 1HGCM82633A004352

Output: Valid VIN check digit

Privacy

This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your data is processed locally and never uploaded to a server.

How to use this tool

1. Paste a 17-character VIN into the input field.
2. Check that you entered the VIN exactly as it appears, with no spaces or extra symbols.
3. Click the validate button to run the check-digit test.
4. Read the result to see whether the VIN is valid and which part failed if it is not.

Step by step, what happens

1. The tool first reads the VIN and confirms it has 17 characters.
2. It checks the allowed character set and rejects invalid letters such as I, O, and Q.
3. It calculates the official check digit from the other VIN characters and compares it with position 9.
4. It returns a clear valid or invalid result, often with a short explanation of the mismatch.

Worked example

For example, if you want to test a real-looking VIN from a North American vehicle, you can paste it in exactly as printed.

Input: 1HGCM82633A004352

1. The tool checks that the input is 17 characters long and contains only allowed VIN characters.
2. It evaluates the check digit at position 9 and compares the calculated value with the one in the VIN.

Tips and common mistakes

• Do not include spaces, hyphens, or line breaks unless the tool says it trims them automatically.
• A VIN can be 17 characters and still fail validation if the check digit does not match.
• Watch for confusing characters like 0 and O, or 1 and I, when copying from paperwork or a windshield plate.
• This check is for North American check-digit validation, so a valid format does not guarantee the VIN belongs to a specific vehicle.

Frequently asked questions