IMEI Validator (Luhn)

What the IMEI is

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifies the physical device — the handset itself — and has 15 digits. Unlike the IMSI (the subscriber) or the ICCID (the SIM card), the IMEI stays with the phone regardless of which SIM you insert. Dial *#06# on any phone to display it.

How the IMEI is structured

• TAC — Type Allocation Code, 8 digits, identifying the model and manufacturer. The first 2 digits are the Reporting Body Identifier.
• Serial Number — 6 digits, unique within the model.
• Check digit — 1 digit, computed with the standard Luhn (mod 10) algorithm over the first 14 digits.

A related form, IMEISV, has 16 digits: it replaces the check digit with a 2-digit Software Version Number.

How it is validated and used

This tool recomputes the Luhn check digit over the first 14 digits and compares it with the 15th. The GSMA uses the IMEI to blocklist lost or stolen devices through the EIR (Equipment Identity Register) and its central blacklist, so a blocked IMEI can be barred from networks even with a valid SIM.

Common pitfalls

• Validating a 16-digit IMEISV with the 15-digit Luhn rule — the last two digits are a software version, not a check digit.
• Assuming a valid check digit means a genuine or unblocked device — Luhn only catches typos.
• Confusing the IMEI (device) with the IMSI (subscriber) or the ICCID (SIM card).

FAQ

How do I see my IMEI? Dial *#06#, or check the phone's settings and the box or tray label.

Does a valid IMEI mean the phone is not stolen? No. The Luhn check only confirms the number is well-formed; blocklist status is held by carriers and the GSMA EIR.

Why is my IMEI 16 digits? That is an IMEISV, where the final 2 digits are a Software Version Number instead of a single check digit.