How to find the model and serial number on any appliance
The model number tells you what an appliance is. The serial number tells you which exact one you own. Together they unlock warranty claims, the right replacement parts, and recall checks. The trouble is that manufacturers hide them in different spots on every machine, and almost nobody writes them down until something breaks.
This guide shows where to look, appliance by appliance, and how to capture the numbers so you never hunt for them twice.
What the model and serial number are actually for
You need these two numbers more often than you would think.
- Warranty service. No technician will start a claim without them.
- Ordering parts. A water filter or a door gasket has to match the exact model.
- Recalls. Safety recalls are issued by model and serial range. You cannot check yours without them.
- Selling your home. A complete record of your appliances is a small but real selling point.
Where to look, appliance by appliance
The plate that holds these numbers is usually metal or a printed sticker. Here is where each appliance tends to hide it.
Refrigerator
Look inside, along the wall, on the ceiling of the fridge compartment, or in the crisper drawer area. Some models put it behind the kick plate at the bottom.
Washer and dryer
Open the door or lid and check the rim or the frame behind it. Front loaders often have the plate on the door frame. Dryers sometimes put it inside the door or on the back.
Dishwasher
Open the door and look along the top edge, the inner side wall, or the tub rim. It is almost always on the door frame where you cannot see it when the door is shut.
Furnace and air handler
Check the inside of the access panel or the outer cabinet. The plate lists the model, serial, and often the BTU rating.
Water heater
Look on a sticker running down the side of the tank. It also lists the capacity and the first-hour rating.
Range, oven, and microwave
For a range, pull out the bottom storage drawer and look at the frame, or check the side of the oven door. Over-the-range microwaves often print it inside the door or behind the vent grille.
How to read the nameplate
The plate can be crowded. Look for these labels:
- Model: sometimes written as Model, M/N, or Mod.
- Serial: written as Serial, S/N, or Ser.
Ignore the voltage, amperage, and certification marks for now. The model and serial are what you want.
If the plate is faded or scratched, take a photo with the flash on and zoom in. A clear picture beats squinting in a dark cabinet.
A faster way: scan it
Typing a long serial number off a sticker behind your fridge is exactly the kind of task people skip. HomeAlmanac lets you point your camera at the nameplate instead. It reads the model and serial number for you and files them under that appliance, along with any manuals, warranties, and receipts you add. The next time you need the numbers, they are one search away.
Save them somewhere you will find them again
A photo buried in your camera roll is better than nothing, but it is hard to find in a hurry. Keep your model and serial numbers in one place, tied to the appliance they belong to. When a warranty question, a broken part, or a recall notice shows up, you will have the answer in seconds instead of on your hands and knees with a flashlight.