Generate a Vehicle Identification Number or VIN barcode with our FREE tool
Need a quick way to turn a vehicle VIN into a barcode (Data Matrix, QR Code or Code 39)? Use our free tool.
How do I use the VIN barcode generator?
First choose your code type (Data Matrix, QR Code or Code 39). Then type in your vehicle's 17-digit VIN number. To the right of the Code Type and VIN fields, you have the option to change your VIN barcode format (PNG, EPS or SVG) and resolution (small, medium or large).
Category: Industrial, Government, Postal, Medical, Most popular
QR Code
QR Code is probably the most well-known two-dimensional barcode. It is often found on products or used in advertising to provide additional information for consumers.
Character Set: ASCII
Length: Variable (7089)
Category: Advertising, Most popular
Data Matrix
Data Matrix is a two-dimensional Code that may contain text, numbers or binary data. It is widely used for labeling small electronic components or in food production, but also on mail labels.
Character Set: ASCII, 1 - 255
Length: Variable (3116)
Category: Industry, Marketing, Post, Electronics, Medical, Most popular
Whether at the auction, in the office or on the lot, you often need vehicle information—fast. Powered by an intuitive barcode reader, Laser Appraiser’s VIN Scanner app (for iOS and Android devices) puts fast and reliable barcode scanning in your pocket.
The VIN Scanner app now uses advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to automatically find automobile VIN numbers within large patterns of text, instantly. You can easily pull VINs right out of printed paper, emails, texts, and more thanks to this superior barcode reader with laser precision. The VIN Scanner app even works on damaged codes and in challenging light and harsh environments.
Looking for information about decoding VINs or generating VIN barcodes? Browse our FAQs.
What is a VIN barcode?
A VIN barcode is essentially the graphic version of a 17-number VIN that is designated to each car. This is a feature of all cars manufactured after 1981. The barcode element of the VIN makes for easier scanning and database input at dealerships, for vehicle registration databases and more. By using VIN barcodes and scanning devices, the aim is to minimize the risk of human error (i.e., someone inputting the wrong 17-digit code into the system during car sales, registration, etc.). This also helps speed up and streamline these processes.
What type of barcode is a VIN?
Historically, the standard Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) embedded within a barcode and attached to a car has been represented by the Code 39 symbology. The Uniform Symbology Specification Code 39 (USS Code 39) is used for vehicle identification, and while based on Code 39, it does not contain start and stop characters.
Automotive manufacturers are now utilizing two-dimensional barcodes to represent VINs on their automobiles. For example, General Motors (GM) now utilizes the Data Matrix barcode symbology to represent the VIN on some models. Ford uses a QR Code for marketing on their window stickers. Automotive auction houses utilize the one-dimensional Code 128 barcode type VIN representations for cars in their auction runlists.
Some US Federal labels and State vehicle registration documents store VINs within PDF417 barcodes since data capacity and space efficiency are two of its major advantages. There are also security features that can be used with PDF417.
What is a car VIN barcode format? What is each digit in a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-digit code, composed of numbers and uppercase letters, that provides specific information about a vehicle including the year, make, model, engine size and manufacturer, and more.
VIN Decoder
What information does a VIN contain?
VIN information is sectioned out into three groups: World Manufacturer Identifier, Vehicle Descriptor Section, and the Vehicle Identifier Section.
World Manufacturer Identifier
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) represents the first three digits of an automotive VIN:
The first digit defines the country of origin or the final point of vehicle assembly
The second digit represents the manufacturer and the region of vehicle production
The third digit, when coupled with the first two digits, indicates the vehicle’s type or manufacturing division
Vehicle Descriptor Section
Digits in position 4 through 9 make up the Vehicle Description Section (VDS):
The fourth through eighth digits describe a vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code
The ninth digit is the check digit, which is used to detect fraudulent VINs. The number that appears in the ninth position varies and is based on a mathematical formula developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation
Vehicle Identifier Section
Digits in positions 10 through 17 make up the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS):
The tenth digit indicates the year, which only applies to vehicles built in or after 1981 since the VIN format was not standardized until that year
Vin to Year Table
Year
Code
Year
Code
Year
Code
Year
Code
1980:
A
1995:
S
2010:
A
2025:
S
1981:
B
1996:
T
2011:
B
2026:
T
1982:
C
1997:
V
2012:
C
2027:
V
1983:
D
1998:
W
2013:
D
2028:
W
1984:
E
1999:
X
2014:
E
2029:
X
1985:
F
2000:
Y
2015:
F
2030:
Y
1986:
G
2001:
1
2016:
G
2031:
1
1987:
H
2002:
2
2017:
H
2032:
2
1988:
J
2003:
3
2018:
J
2033:
3
1989:
K
2004:
4
2019:
K
2034:
4
1990:
L
2005:
5
2020:
L
2035:
5
1991:
M
2006:
6
2021:
M
2036:
6
1992:
N
2007:
7
2022:
N
2037:
7
1993:
P
2008:
8
2023:
P
2038:
8
1994:
R
2009:
9
2024:
R
2039:
9
The eleventh digit indicates the manufacturing plant at which your vehicle was assembled
The twelfth through seventeenth digits are the unique production serial number your vehicle receives on the assembly line..
Why is my VIN 18 digits?
Sometimes a VIN barcode has a leading “I” that extends the decoded result length to 18 digits. According to the regulation, the letters O (o), I (i), and Q (q) are illegal VIN characters to avoid confusion with numerals 0, 1, and 9. But a leading “I” actually represents an “import” to identify imported vehicles.
How do I scan a VIN code?
Any automotive dealer or wholesale business with a Laser Appraiser subscription can use the powerful Laser Appraiser VIN Scanner for iPhone and Android to quickly and easily scan a VIN, delivering a mobile vehicle appraisal and valuation, with live, critical auction and valuation data.
This scanner is an ideal way to get vehicle information quickly. And with new advanced technology, can automatically find VIN numbers and barcodes within larger blocks of text, automatically—even damaged or hard-to-read codes!
Having a fast-reliable VIN scanner is vital for dealerships, but specifically for small independent dealers. To keep prospective buyers engaged on the lot, you need in-depth vehicle information at your fingertips, and even a moment wasted with a faulty scanner can compromise the deal.
You’ll also want to make sure you have a reliable dealer management system that allows you to focus less on operational tasks and more on taking care of your customers and employees. Our convenient auto dealer software keeps your hands free while providing your sales team with all the used car prices and relevant vehicle market data they need to drive sales and profit with a competitive edge.
What is Laser Appraiser?
Laser Appraiser is the original, most comprehensive and affordable car appraisal and vehicle valuation solution available for used automotive dealerships, auctions, wholesalers, and appraisers..
The powerful Laser Appraiser Mobile VIN Scanner for iPhone and Android delivers car dealers mobile purchasing efficiency and simplicity.
On the desktop, the powerful Laser Appraiser Dealer Studio brings big data and statistical analysis to dealer purchases, providing insight on when to buy, where to price, and when to sell each vehicle acquisition.
Live auto auction integration from the most popular car auction providers enables early-access to the run numbers and lanes containing the best deals.
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