IMEI Validator

Validate IMEI numbers using the Luhn algorithm with TAC and serial breakdown.

Enter a 15-digit IMEI number to validate.

What is an IMEI number?

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit identifier for mobile devices. The first 8 digits form the TAC (Type Allocation Code), which identifies the device model and manufacturer. The next 6 are the serial number, and the final digit is a Luhn check digit used to detect typos. You can find your device's IMEI by dialing *#06#.

Built and maintained by Meet Shah · Last updated 19 July 2026

What this tool is used for

Checking a handset number written down from a screen or a label before entering it into a warranty claim.
Confirming the check digit on an IMEI quoted in a support ticket.
Reading the type allocation prefix to identify which model a number belongs to.
Validating a batch of numbers from an inventory sheet before importing them.
Distinguishing a mistyped digit from a genuinely unknown device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IMEI?: A 15-digit identifier unique to a mobile device, not to its SIM or its owner. The first 8 digits are the Type Allocation Code identifying make and model, the next 6 are the serial, and the last is a Luhn check digit.
How is the check digit calculated?: By the Luhn algorithm, exactly as for card numbers: double every second digit from the right, subtract 9 from results over 9, and the total must be divisible by 10. It catches typos, not forgeries.
What is IMEISV?: A 16-digit variant where the final two digits are a Software Version number replacing the check digit. So a 16-digit value is not an invalid IMEI — it is a different field, and validating it with Luhn will wrongly reject it.
Does a valid IMEI mean the phone is legitimate?: No. Luhn only proves the digits are internally consistent, and IMEIs can be cloned or reflashed. Checking whether a device is stolen requires a blocklist query against the GSMA database, which this cannot do.
How do I find my device's IMEI?: Dial *#06# on any phone — a GSM standard that works regardless of manufacturer. It is also printed on the SIM tray, under the battery on older devices, and on the original packaging.
Do dual-SIM and eSIM devices have more than one IMEI?: Yes — each cellular radio has its own, so a dual-SIM handset carries two and reports both. An eSIM does not add an IMEI; it changes the subscriber identity while the hardware identifier stays the same.
What are the TAC and serial parts?: The first eight digits are the Type Allocation Code identifying the model, and the next six are the unit serial. That is why the leading digits are shared by every device of the same model and can be looked up in the GSMA database.

Common errors and gotchas

Confusing IMEI with IMEISV, which is 16 digits and includes a software version rather than a check digit.
Reading a passing check digit as proof the device exists. Luhn catches typos, not fabrications.
Including spaces or dashes from a printed label and getting a length error rather than a checksum result.
Transposing two adjacent digits, which Luhn catches for most pairs but not for a 0 and a 9.
Assuming the number tells you the network or the owner. It identifies the hardware and nothing else.