The serial number is usually on a sticker under your laptop or in the system settings

Your laptop's serial number is a unique identifier assigned by the manufacturer. You will need it if you contact support, file a warranty claim, report theft, or sell the device. The fastest way to find it depends on whether your laptop is powered on and whether you can access the bottom panel without tools.

Most laptops have the serial number printed on a white or silver sticker attached to the underside of the device. If you cannot remove the bottom panel or the sticker is worn away, you can pull the same information from your operating system in under a minute. Windows and Mac both store this data where you can read it without special software.

Key Takeaways

  • The serial number is almost always on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop, printed as a string of letters and numbers specific to your device.
  • On Windows, you can find it by opening Settings, going to System, then About, and looking for the System Serial Number field.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click General, then About, and look for the Serial Number field near the top of the window.
  • If the bottom sticker is missing or unreadable, the operating system method will always work and takes less than one minute.
  • Write down or photograph your serial number when you first set up your laptop, so you have it if the sticker wears away later.

Finding the serial number on the physical laptop

Turn your laptop off and unplug it from power. Flip it over so you are looking at the bottom panel. Look for a white, silver, or black sticker with small printed text. This sticker usually sits near the center or toward one corner of the bottom panel.

The sticker will contain several lines of information: the model name, the part number, regulatory markings, and the serial number. The serial number is typically labeled "Serial No.", "S/N", or "Serial Number" and consists of a mix of letters and numbers unique to your device. It may be 8 to 20 characters long depending on the manufacturer.

If the sticker is worn, faded, or missing, do not try to peel it off or scrape it — you risk damaging the label further. Move on to the operating system method instead, which will give you the same information without any physical contact.

Finding the serial number on Windows

Click the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type "Settings" and open the Settings app. Click on "System" in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click "About".

Look for the field labeled "System Serial Number" or "Device Serial Number" — the exact label varies slightly by Windows version. The serial number will appear as a string of characters next to this label. You can click on the number to select it, then right-click and choose "Copy" if you need to paste it elsewhere.

If you do not see a serial number field in the About section, your laptop manufacturer may have stored it differently. Try opening the Command Prompt: press Windows key + R, type "cmd", and press Enter. Then type "wmic bios get serialnumber" and press Enter. The serial number will appear on the next line.

Finding the serial number on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). Click "General" in the sidebar, then click "About".

The Serial Number field appears near the top of the About window, usually below the Mac model name. The serial number is typically 11 to 12 characters long on Apple devices. You can click on the serial number to select it, then press Command+C to copy it if you need to share it with support or a buyer.

What to do with your serial number once you have it

Write down your serial number and store it somewhere safe — a notes app, a document, or a photograph. If your laptop is ever lost, stolen, or needs warranty service, you will have this information ready without having to dig through the device or its original packaging.

When you contact the manufacturer's support team, have your serial number ready before you call or chat. Support agents use it to pull up your warranty status, check what repairs are covered, and confirm whether your device is still under protection. If you are selling your laptop, providing the serial number to the buyer lets them verify the device's history and authenticity.

Some manufacturers allow you to register your device on their website using the serial number. This can unlock extended support options, firmware updates, or recall notifications if a safety issue is discovered with your model.

Serial numbers on different laptop brands

Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Apple all print serial numbers on bottom stickers, though the label format varies slightly. Dell and HP often use longer alphanumeric codes, while Apple uses shorter strings. Chromebooks and budget Windows laptops from lesser-known brands may have the serial number only in the system settings, not on a physical sticker.

If you own a gaming laptop from Razer, MSI, or Alienware, the serial number is typically on the bottom sticker but may be smaller or harder to read than on mainstream brands. The operating system method works on all of these devices regardless of brand, so if you cannot read the sticker clearly, pulling it from Settings or System Preferences is always an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot find the serial number anywhere?

If the bottom sticker is missing and the operating system does not show a serial number field, contact the manufacturer's support team with your laptop model and purchase date. They can sometimes look up your device in their records. If you bought the laptop from a retailer, check your receipt or account — the serial number may be listed there.

Is the serial number the same as the product key or license key?

No. The serial number identifies the physical device itself. The product key (on Windows) or license (on Mac) identifies the software installed on it. You need the serial number for hardware support and warranty claims. You need the product key if you reinstall Windows or transfer your license to a different computer.

Can I change my laptop's serial number?

No, and you should not try. The serial number is burned into the device's firmware by the manufacturer and cannot be altered without specialized tools. Changing it is illegal in most places and will void your warranty. The serial number is how manufacturers track recalls, warranty coverage, and theft reports.

Do I need the serial number to get technical support?

Most manufacturers ask for it but do not always require it. Having it ready speeds up the process because support can pull up your warranty status and device history when ready. If you cannot find it, support can usually help you anyway, but the call or chat may take longer.

What should I do if my laptop was stolen?

Report the theft to local police and provide them with the serial number — they may be able to flag it in a database if it turns up at a pawn shop or reseller. Contact the manufacturer and provide the serial number so they can note the device as stolen in their records. Some manufacturers will refuse to provide support or parts for stolen devices once they are flagged.