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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A standard IMEI is 15 digits. A 16-digit number may instead be an IMEI SV, a related identifier whose last two digits represent a software version. The apparent 14-digit exception refers to the IMEI’s base digits before its check digit is added—not a complete standard IMEI.
How many digits does a standard IMEI have?
A standard International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) has 15 decimal digits. GSMA describes it as a 15-digit identifier for a device on a mobile network, and 3GPP TS 23.003, published by ETSI as Release 15 version 15.11.0 in January 2022, specifies the same length.
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In the current structure, the digits are arranged as an eight-digit Type Allocation Code (TAC), a six-digit serial number, and a final check-or-spare digit. The TAC identifies the allocated device type; the serial number distinguishes a device within that TAC.
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| Digits | Field | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 | TAC | Type Allocation Code associated with the device type. GSMA manages official TAC allocations for manufacturers. |
| 9–14 | Serial number (SNR) | Device serial number within the TAC. |
| 15 | Check or spare digit | A check digit in the IMEI format; the specification defines it using the Luhn formula. |
The check digit is intended to help catch errors when an IMEI is entered or transcribed. It is not an additional device or software identifier.
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Why do some references mention 14 digits?
Some standards wording describes the IMEI as having 14 digits complemented by a check digit. Those 14 digits are the TAC and serial-number portion; adding the one-digit check field produces the complete 15-digit IMEI. A 14-digit value is therefore not the full standard format described in 3GPP TS 23.003.
Why does my IMEI have 16 digits?
Check whether the number is labelled IMEI SV or IMEISV. This is a related 16-digit form, not an ordinary IMEI with a random extra digit. It shares the eight-digit TAC and six-digit serial number, then uses two trailing digits to identify the software version rather than using the IMEI’s single check digit. GSMA’s Device Identifier API reference and IETF RFC 7254 distinguish the 15-digit IMEI from the 16-digit IMEI SV.
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| Format | Total length | Trailing field |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI | 15 digits | One check-or-spare digit |
| IMEI SV / IMEISV | 16 digits | Two software-version digits |
What is an IMEI used for?
An IMEI identifies a device on mobile networks. GSMA’s services support the allocation and interpretation of TACs and the reporting and checking of device status. Network operators can use TAC allocation information to determine device types and supported features; GSMA’s API documentation describes the identifier being signalled when a device connects, including for blocked-status checks and device-dependent network configuration.
The number alone does not establish who owns a phone or reveal its live location. For instructions on finding the identifier on a particular phone, consult that device maker’s documentation; its location can vary by model.
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Sources and standards
- GSMA IMEI Database describes the IMEI as a 15-digit device identifier and explains TAC allocation.
- ETSI-published 3GPP TS 23.003, Release 15, version 15.11.0 (January 2022) specifies the 8 + 6 + 1 structure and Luhn check digit.
- GSMA Open Gateway Device Identifier API reference distinguishes IMEI and IMEI SV.
- IETF RFC 7254 (May 2014) distinguishes the 15-digit IMEI from the 16-digit IMEISV.
- GSMA TS.06 summarizes TAC allocation principles, including avoiding duplication and protecting number ranges.
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