To identify a Raspberry Pi that boots, read its model name from /sys/firmware/devicetree/base/model or inspect its device-tree compatible property. If you need details such as board revision, memory or manufacturer, retrieve the revision code and decode it with Raspberry Pi’s official table. If the board will not boot, use its labels and layout as clues, but confirm uncertain matches against official documentation.
Identify a Raspberry Pi that boots
Start with the device-tree model string, which usually gives the board’s name directly:
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cat /sys/firmware/devicetree/base/modelThe output may not end with a newline, so your shell prompt can appear immediately after the model name. Depending on the kernel and distribution, /proc/cpuinfo may also include a Model line.
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For a check Raspberry Pi documents across Linux distributions, read the device-tree compatible property:
cat /proc/device-tree/compatible | tr ' ' 'n'A Raspberry Pi 5 example returns:
raspberrypi,5-model-b
brcm,bcm2712The first value identifies the board make and model; the second identifies the processor make and model. Raspberry Pi’s documentation lists compatible values for many families, including Pi 5, Pi 4 Model B, Pi 400, Zero 2 W, Zero W, earlier A and B boards, and Compute Modules. See Raspberry Pi computer hardware.
Decode the revision code for more detail
A revision code can reveal the board type and, for new-style codes, fields such as memory, manufacturer and processor. Retrieve it with:
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cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep RevisionUse the hexadecimal value with Raspberry Pi’s official revision-code table. For example, Raspberry Pi decodes c03111 as a Pi 4 Model B, revision 1, made by Sony UK, with 4 GB of RAM. Older-style codes are sequential; new-style codes encode several fields. Check the table’s guidance before interpreting a code, including its new-style flag.
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If /proc/cpuinfo reports Hardware : BCM2835, that does not prove the board contains a BCM2835 processor. Raspberry Pi says this field appears on its computers, including boards with BCM2836, BCM2837, BCM2711 and BCM2712 processors. Use the model or device-tree information, or decode the revision code, instead.
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- Broadcom BCM2711, Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
- 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM (depending on model)
- 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE Gigabit Ethernet
- 2 USB 3.0 ports; 2 USB 2.0 ports.
- Raspberry Pi standard 40 pin GPIO header (fully backwards compatible with previous boards)
Avoid matching only the entire revision string
Different full revision codes can represent the same board type when hardware revisions or manufacturing locations change. Software that identifies boards should check the relevant model/type and memory fields rather than assume one exact full code will always identify a model. Follow Raspberry Pi’s revision-code documentation for field interpretation.
Identify a board that will not boot
Inspect the board’s printed labels, connectors and component layout, then compare them with official model documentation. Physical clues can establish a likely family or distinguish some board revisions, but they are not conclusive for every production change.
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Visible changes can identify some Pi 4 Model B revisions
Raspberry Pi’s 2026 notice for a dual-DRAM Pi 4 Model B PCB describes software model 1.5. The revised PCB has an additional RAM chip on the rear and a 2025 date silkscreen on the front. These are useful clues for this specific change, not a general rule for identifying every Raspberry Pi revision. See Raspberry Pi computer hardware and the PCN 45 – Dual RAM variant.
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Some manufacturing changes are invisible
The Zero 2 W move from UK to Japan production, which Raspberry Pi announced in September 2023, changed the manufacturer code but introduced no visible board difference. A visual inspection alone therefore cannot reliably distinguish those units. See PCN 21: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, Change of country of origin.
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Choose the method that answers your question
| Method | Works when | What it tells you | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
Model file or Model line |
The board boots and you can access Linux | Usually the board’s model name | /proc/cpuinfo contents vary by kernel and distribution; the model file may print without a newline. |
Device-tree compatible property |
The board boots and its device tree is accessible | Board model and processor identifiers | Interpret the separate board and processor values correctly. |
| Revision-code lookup | You can retrieve a revision code or read one from available system information | Board type and encoded details such as memory or manufacturer | Full codes can vary across revisions and manufacturing locations. |
| Physical inspection | The board cannot boot or software access is unavailable | Potential model-family or board-revision clues | Some production changes have no visible difference. |
Why the exact model matters after identification
Once you know the model, check its own documentation before choosing a power connection or supply. Raspberry Pi’s documentation says models up to Pi 3 use micro-USB, while Pi 4, Pi 400 and Pi 5 use USB-C; recommended power supplies differ by model family. The connector is a useful compatibility clue, but it should not replace software identification or a documentation check.
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