How to Find Your Laptop Model and Serial Number

Where the Numbers Are

Every laptop has two identifiers that do different jobs. The model number identifies the design and configuration, and the serial number identifies your exact unit. When you read a spec sheet or buy a replacement part, you use the model number; when you contact support or check warranty coverage, you use the serial number.

Windows and macOS laptops put the information in slightly different places, but the physical labels follow the same pattern. You usually find the model name and serial number on a label on the bottom cover, inside the battery compartment on older machines, or etched into the chassis on newer laptops. For a laptop bought for programming, the same label is also a quick way to confirm the CPU generation before you install drivers or check compatibility.

Find the Model in Windows

The fastest way to see your model in Windows is the Settings app. Open Settings, choose System, then About. The Device specifications section shows the processor, installed RAM, and device name; the Windows specifications section shows the Windows edition and version. These details help you match a laptop to the laptop processor guide and RAM guides when you are checking what a spec sheet actually means.

For more detail, open System Information. Press the Windows key, type "System Information," and open the app. The System Summary lists System Manufacturer, System Model, and BIOS Version. This is the view that gives you the exact model identifier that a support site expects, which makes it useful when you are checking BIOS and driver updates.

You can also use the Command Prompt. Type `wmic csproduct get name, identifyingnumber` and press Enter. The output shows the product name and the serial number. This command returns the same information Windows stores in its firmware tables, so it works on most systems without opening another app.

Find the Serial Number in Windows

Windows does not always show the serial number in the Settings About page. The reliable way is System Information or the command line. In System Information, look for System Serial Number in the System Summary.

In PowerShell or Command Prompt, run `Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber`. The serial number is stored by the firmware, so this command reads it directly. On laptops where the manufacturer did not fill in the field, the output can be blank or show a placeholder such as "Default string." In that case, the physical label is the source of truth.

Keep the number in a password manager or a note file after you find it. Warranty checks and support requests ask for it, and you also need it when you check the warranty status of a laptop. The model number alone is not a unique identifier because many laptops share the same model.

Find the Model on macOS

On a Mac, the model name and a shorter model identifier are stored in the system. Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac, and look at the overview. It shows the chip, memory, and serial number alongside the marketing name such as MacBook Air. Apple lists the chip and memory options for each MacBook Air model; if you are deciding between Macs for Apple development, see the guide to iOS and macOS development.

For the exact identifier, click System Settings, choose General, then About. The window shows Model Name, Chip, Serial Number, and the model identifier such as Mac14,2. The model identifier tells you which generation and chassis you have, which is what matters when you compare MacBook Air versus MacBook Pro.

macOS also stores the serial number in the firmware. Run `system_profiler SPHardwareDataType` in Terminal and read the Hardware UUID and Serial Number lines. The command works even when the About screen is not available, which helps if the operating system will not boot.

Physical Label Locations

When Windows or macOS cannot read the serial number, the physical label is the fallback. Look on the bottom cover first. Most manufacturers place a label near the hinge or in a recessed area with the model name, serial number, and sometimes the regulatory marks.

On thin laptops, the label can be small or printed with a barcode. The serial number is often labeled S/N, and the model number appears as the product name or a model code. If the label is missing, check the box, the receipt, or the original order confirmation. The BIOS and the operating system usually mirror what the manufacturer printed, so the box can confirm a worn label.

Some business laptops print or etch the serial number directly on the chassis to survive heavy use. Lenovo ThinkPad laptops, for example, place a label on the bottom and sometimes a smaller mark near the keyboard. The exact location varies, so check the corners of the bottom cover, the battery area, and the edges around the ports.

When You Need the Numbers

You need the model number when you download drivers, check BIOS compatibility, or choose a replacement SSD or RAM. The model tells you the exact laptop series and generation, which is why the guides on this site group laptops by series names such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, Acer, and MSI. A driver page asks for the full model, not just the brand.

You need the serial number when you check warranty coverage, request service, or report a lost or stolen device. It is unique to one unit, so it is the number a support agent needs to pull your record. The same serial number also appears in the BIOS, which is why the command-line methods above usually agree with the printed label.

Before you upgrade memory or storage, note the model number and look at the laptop's documented configurations. Many laptops use soldered RAM, so the upgradability guide explains what to check before you order parts. Knowing the model also helps you compare the listed spec against the laptop storage guide so you can tell whether a port is SATA or NVMe.

What to do with the numbers when you have them

Questions

Where is the serial number on a laptop?

On most laptops, the serial number is on a label on the bottom cover, inside the battery compartment on older models, or etched into the chassis. Windows can also read it from the BIOS with System Information or a command-line query.

Does Windows show the laptop serial number in Settings?

The Settings About page usually shows the device name but not the serial number. Use System Information and look for System Serial Number, or run a PowerShell query to read the serial number stored in the firmware.

What is the difference between model number and serial number?

The model number identifies the laptop design, such as the series and generation. The serial number identifies one individual unit. Many laptops share a model number, but each has a different serial number.

Why is my serial number blank in Windows?

The manufacturer may not have filled in the serial number field in the firmware. Check the physical label on the bottom cover or the original box. Some smaller manufacturers leave the field blank even when the label is present.

Do Macs have serial numbers?

Yes. On macOS, open About This Mac and the serial number appears in the Overview. You can also run system_profiler SPHardwareDataType in Terminal.