VIN Number Chart: Structure, Positions, Letters and Standards Explained
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-character code that identifies an individual vehicle. For cars and light trucks sold in the US since the 1981 model year, the VIN follows a fixed layout: the first three characters identify the manufacturer, the next six describe the vehicle and include a check digit, and the last eight identify the model year, assembly plant and the specific vehicle in production. This guide works as a VIN number chart. It explains what each position means, which letters are allowed, and which standards govern the format. It also covers where decoding works differently by market or manufacturer.
The short answer: three sections, 17 positions
Every modern VIN breaks into three sections. The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) uses positions 1–3. The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) uses positions 4–9. The Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) uses positions 10–17. The overall framework is international. The rules for some positions are stricter in North America than elsewhere, and the meaning of the descriptive characters is set by each manufacturer. A VIN can therefore tell you a great deal at a general level. Fully decoding it, including model, engine or body style, often needs that manufacturer's own coding for the relevant model year.
VIN number chart by position
Position | Section | What it identifies | Notes; 1 | WMI | Country or region of manufacture | Assigned by region; see the country table below; 2 | WMI | Manufacturer | Combined with position 1 to identify the maker; 3 | WMI | Vehicle type or division | A 9 here in North America signals a low-volume manufacturer; 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle attributes such as model line, body style, engine, restraint system or weight class | Coding is manufacturer-specific and varies by model year; 9 | VDS | Check digit | Required in North America; calculated from the other 16 characters; 10 | VIS | Model year | Required in North America; optional under the international standard; 11 | VIS | Assembly plant | Plant codes are assigned by each manufacturer; 12–17 | VIS | Production sequence number | Unique serial for the individual vehicle; positions 12–14 can identify low-volume makers
