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FCC ID Validator

Security

Validate a US FCC ID for wireless device authorisation. Checks grantee code and product code format. Free, in-browser — no data stored or uploaded.

Reviewed by the thecalcu.com team · Last updated July 24, 2026

What is a FCC ID?

An FCC ID validator checks whether a given FCC equipment authorisation ID follows the structural format defined by the US Federal Communications Commission. The FCC ID is the unique identifier assigned to wireless devices, smartphones, routers, Bluetooth headphones, remote controls, smart home devices, that have been tested and authorised for use in the United States.

Every device that intentionally transmits or receives radio frequency signals must obtain FCC equipment authorisation before being marketed in the US. The FCC ID appears on the device label and in device settings, allowing regulators, consumers, and compliance engineers to identify the device and look it up in the FCC's public database.

The FCC ID has a two-part structure: a grantee code of 3–5 characters identifying the manufacturer (assigned by the FCC), followed by a product code of 1–14 characters identifying the specific device model (assigned by the manufacturer). The characters I, O, and Q are excluded from grantee codes to prevent visual confusion with digits. This validator checks that structure: correct grantee code length, no forbidden characters, and a present product code.

This is a format check only. A structurally valid FCC ID is not automatically a confirmation that the device is listed in the FCC Equipment Authorisation database, that requires a query to the FCC's public search system. Use this validator to confirm format correctness before making an API call, or to catch obvious transcription errors in device labels.

Why Use an FCC ID Validator?

Compliance and procurement workflows often involve verifying that a batch of devices carries valid FCC authorisation. An FCC ID with a forbidden character or an invalid grantee code length is immediately suspicious, it may indicate a counterfeit device, a transcription error, or a label applied to the wrong product. Catching this at the format-check stage is faster than querying the FCC database for every ID.

For developers building device inventory or compliance systems, the validator provides a quick client-side check before submitting to backend lookup services.

Who Should Use This Validator?

Compliance engineers at companies importing or distributing wireless devices in the US need to confirm that every device in their inventory has a valid FCC ID before sale. A format check is the first step in that process.

Procurement teams purchasing bulk electronics need to verify that quoted devices have real FCC authorisation. An invalid FCC ID format on a product sheet is a red flag for counterfeit or grey-market goods.

Developers building device registration or asset management platforms can use the format validator as a client-side input check before querying the FCC API.

Consumers who want to verify that a second-hand device they purchased carries genuine FCC authorisation can check the format here and then look up the full ID in the FCC database.

What Insights Does the FCC ID Validator Give You?

A valid result shows you the grantee code and product code separated, confirming the structure was parsed correctly. The grantee code identifies the manufacturer, you can look it up in the FCC's grantee database to confirm which company it belongs to.

An invalid result tells you exactly what is wrong: the grantee code is too short, a forbidden character was found, or the product code is missing. This points directly to the source of the problem, whether it is a data entry error, a label issue, or a potentially non-authentic device.

How to use this FCC ID calculator

  1. Find the FCC ID on your device, look in Settings > About, or on the back or bottom label.
  2. Enter or paste it into the FCC ID field. You can include or omit the hyphen separator.
  3. The result shows immediately: Valid with the parsed grantee and product codes, or Invalid with the specific format issue.
  4. If valid, use the grantee code to look up the manufacturer in the FCC's public grantee database.
  5. For a full device record, search the complete FCC ID in the FCC Equipment Authorisation database.
Show formula & methodology ↓Show less ↑

Formula & Methodology

The validator applies the following rules to the FCC ID (after stripping hyphens and spaces):

1. Length: Total length must be between 4 and 19 characters.
2. Grantee code: First 3–5 characters must be alphanumeric. Characters I, O, and Q are not permitted. The validator tries 5-character, then 4-character, then 3-character grantee codes and takes the longest valid match.
3. Product code: The remaining characters after the grantee code must be at least 1 character, containing only letters (A–Z) and digits (0–9).

Valid examples:
- PY317334A, grantee PY3, product 17334A
- BCGA2HBCGA, grantee BCG, product A2HBCGA

Invalid examples:
- IO3PROD1, grantee code contains O (forbidden)
- AB, too short, no product code
- 1234567890123456789, exceeds maximum length

Related Tools

You may also find these useful: IMEI Validator (US Carriers), IMEI Validator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an FCC ID?
An FCC ID is a unique alphanumeric identifier assigned by the US Federal Communications Commission to wireless devices that have been authorised for sale and use in the United States. Every device that intentionally emits radio frequency signals, smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth accessories, and remote controls, must obtain FCC equipment authorisation and display the FCC ID on the device or in the settings menu.
What does an FCC ID look like?
An FCC ID has two parts: a 3–5 character grantee code identifying the manufacturer, followed by a 1–14 character product code identifying the specific device model. The two parts are typically separated by a hyphen when displayed on a device. For example, PY3-17334A has grantee code PY3 and product code 17334A.
What does this FCC ID validator check?
The validator checks that the grantee code is 3–5 alphanumeric characters (excluding the letters I, O, and Q which are reserved), that a product code is present, and that the overall format matches FCC guidelines. It is a format check only, it does not query the FCC database to confirm the device is actually registered.
Why are the letters I, O, and Q excluded from grantee codes?
The FCC excludes I, O, and Q from grantee codes to prevent visual confusion with the digits 1, 0, and the unrelated use of Q in other regulatory contexts. This reduces transcription errors when reading an FCC ID from a device label.
Where can I find the FCC ID on my device?
On most smartphones, the FCC ID is in Settings > About Phone (or General > About on iPhone). On physical devices, it is printed on the bottom or back label, often near the CE mark and other regulatory symbols. The format is usually 'FCC ID: XXXXXX' or the letters FCC with a logo.
Does a valid FCC ID format mean the device is authorised for US use?
No. This tool validates only the format, that the grantee code and product code follow FCC structural rules. A device may have a syntactically correct FCC ID that is not in the FCC database, or the label may have been applied incorrectly. To confirm a device is genuinely FCC-authorised, search the FCC Equipment Authorisation database directly.
Can a device sold in India have an FCC ID?
Yes. Many devices sold globally carry FCC certification alongside certifications for other markets (CE for Europe, BIS for India). An FCC ID on an Indian-market device means the manufacturer sought US market authorisation, which is common for electronics sold internationally.
What is the difference between FCC ID and CE mark?
The FCC ID is a US-specific equipment authorisation identifier for radio frequency devices. The CE mark is a European conformity marking indicating a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. They cover different regulatory jurisdictions and different product categories, though many devices carry both.
Why would I need to validate an FCC ID?
Developers building device management platforms, compliance engineers auditing device inventories, and procurement teams verifying that purchased equipment is US-compliant may need to validate FCC IDs programmatically. The formatter confirms format validity before making a database query to the FCC API.
Is my FCC ID data stored or uploaded?
No. The format check runs entirely in your browser. The FCC ID you enter is not transmitted to any server or stored anywhere.
What are the most common FCC ID format errors?
The most common errors are including the letters I, O, or Q in the grantee code (which are not permitted), entering a grantee code with fewer than 3 characters, and omitting the product code entirely. A hyphen between the two parts is a display convention and is stripped before validation, you can enter the ID with or without the hyphen.
Also known as
FCC ID checkFCC equipment IDvalidate FCC IDFCC authorisation numberFCC device ID