What Is a Serial Number on a TV?

When a television is produced it is labeled with a serial number by the manufacturer. Though a television’s product number relates to the product and is shared by all the TVs in that same product line, each TV gets its own serial number. The manufacturer maintains a database of all the serial numbers of its televisions. The serial number can tell the manufacturer where the television was made and when.

Serial number styles vary according to the manufacturer of a product. Some serial numbers contain a combination of letters and numbers while others contain only numbers. They’re typically 10 to 20 characters in length regardless of whether they imply solely numbers or include a few letters.

Serial numbers are most often displayed on the rear of televisions. They’re often small in appearance which can make them difficult to see. Look for a sticker featuring the television manufacturer’s name and the product number of the television. The serial number might be on this sticker or might be near it. The number may be labeled as “Serial Number:” or just appear on its own. The number is also commonly stamped on your television's owner's manual.

When registering your new television for warranty purposes you will need to provide the serial number. Both online and mail-in registrations require that you identify the serial number unique to your television and other relevant information, such as the date you purchased the product, where you purchased it and your contact information.