LG Electronics · 3-Digit Prefix Date Code
LG Serial Number Age Lookup
Find your LG appliance manufacture date.
LG Electronics encodes the production year in the 1st digit and the calendar month in the 2nd and 3rd digits of the serial number. Enter your serial number below for instant informational decoding.
LG Date Code Decoder
Enter your LG serial number.
Locate the rating plate on your LG front-load washer, dryer, French door refrigerator, or dishwasher to decode its production month and year.
Enter your LG serial number above
Type the serial number from your appliance data tag to decode the production month, possible manufacture years, and estimated age.
How LG Encodes Age in Serial Numbers
LG serial numbers begin with a 3-digit numeric date block (Y-MM) followed by factory origin letters (such as KW for Korea or TA for Thailand):
Example: Serial Number 304KW12345
- 1st Digit (
3): Year code = 2023 (or 2013). - 2nd & 3rd Digits (
04): Month code = 04 (April). - Factory Letters (
KW): Production factory identifier (Korea Changwon plant). - Remaining Characters (
12345): Sequential manufacturing batch number.
Where to Find the Serial Tag on LG Appliances
LG Washing Machines
Front-load washers: Inside the door opening along the front cabinet frame. Top-load washers: On the rear upper panel or behind the back console.
LG Dryers
Located inside the door opening on the cabinet perimeter or on the rear upper frame edge.
LG Refrigerators
Inside the fresh food compartment on the left interior side wall, or on the exterior left side of the cabinet.
LG Dishwashers
Affixed along the right or left edge of the inner tub rim or on the top side of the door panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode an LG serial number to find the manufacture date?
LG serial numbers encode the date in the first three characters: the 1st digit indicates the last digit of the manufacture year (e.g., 3 for 2023 or 2013), and the 2nd and 3rd digits represent the two-digit month (01 to 12). For example, a serial starting with 304KW was manufactured in April 2023 or 2013.
How do I tell which decade my LG appliance was made?
Because LG's single-digit year code repeats every 10 years, look at cosmetic features and display technology. LG appliances with capacitive glass touch controls, Wi-Fi ThinQ badges, or R-600a refrigerant were manufactured in 2020 or later; units with membrane pushbuttons or amber LED segmented displays were manufactured in the 2010s.
Where is the serial number located on an LG washing machine?
On front-load LG washers, open the door to find the rating plate on the cabinet frame around the opening. On top-load washers, look on the back panel near the top or under the lid frame.
Disclaimer: This serial lookup tool provides an informational estimate based on LG Electronics' published rating-plate formats. It does not inspect mechanical or electrical safety. Always verify production details against the physical rating tag on your unit. For troubleshooting and error code definitions, consult your LG owner manual or check our LG Error Code Reference.