Free tool
Chanel Serial Number Decoder
From 1986 through April 2021, Chanel marked its bags with a serial number on a hologram sticker — 7 digits at first, then 8 digits starting in 2005. The first one or two digits are the series, which maps to an approximate production window. Enter the number from the sticker and the decoder will show you the series and the years it corresponds to.
Enter the 7 or 8 digits from the hologram sticker — numbers only, no spaces or letters.
Chanel serial series by year
| Series | Digits | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 7 | 1986–1988 |
| 1 | 7 | 1989–1991 |
| 2 | 7 | 1991–1994 |
| 3 | 7 | 1994–1996 |
| 4 | 7 | 1996–1997 |
| 5 | 7 | 1997–1999 |
| 6 | 7 | 2000–2002 |
| 7 | 7 | 2002–2003 |
| 8 | 7 | 2003–2004 |
| 9 | 7 | 2004–2005 |
| 10 | 8 | 2005–2006 |
| 11 | 8 | 2006–2008 |
| 12 | 8 | 2008–2009 |
| 13 | 8 | 2009–2010 |
| 14 | 8 | 2010–2011 |
| 15 | 8 | 2011–2012 |
| 16 | 8 | 2012 |
| 17 | 8 | 2012–2013 |
| 18 | 8 | 2013–2014 |
| 19 | 8 | 2014 |
| 20 | 8 | 2014–2015 |
| 21 | 8 | 2015–2016 |
| 22 | 8 | 2016 |
| 23 | 8 | 2016–2017 |
| 24 | 8 | 2017–2018 |
| 25 | 8 | 2018 |
| 26 | 8 | 2018–2019 |
| 27 | 8 | 2019 |
| 28 | 8 | 2019–2020 |
| 29 | 8 | 2020 |
| 30 | 8 | 2020–2021 |
| 31 | 8 | 2021 |
What else to know
- The hologram sticker evolved over the years: early series (roughly 0–5) show gold glitter speckles in the film, while later stickers added twin CC logos along the edges and dark X-shaped cut lines so the sticker tears apart if anyone tries to peel it off.
- The serial number on the sticker must match the number on the white authenticity card that comes with the bag, digit for digit. Even a single-digit mismatch is a major red flag.
- Around April 2021, Chanel retired stickers and cards altogether: newer bags carry a metal plate with an embedded microchip inside. Series 31 is the last sticker series — there are no 9-digit serials and no series 32.
- Typography, print quality, and sticker placement matter too: crooked digits, overly bold printing, or a sticker in an unusual spot show up on replicas more often than an invalid number does.
This series table was compiled by the authentication and collector community: Chanel has never officially published a serial-to-date chart, so all years are approximate and may be off by about a year either way. A valid serial number does not prove authenticity — replicas routinely copy genuine numbers. This tool is for reference only and is not a substitute for a full authentication. LegitCheck AI is not affiliated with Chanel.
Serial checks out? Verify the rest
The sticker is one sign out of many. Snap photos — the AI cross-references the quilting, CC lock, chain and stamping in about a minute.
FAQ
Does series 32 exist?
No. Series 31 (2021) was the last one. Around April 2021, Chanel switched to metal plates with an embedded microchip, and serial number stickers were discontinued. Any sticker with a number starting at 32 or higher is counterfeit.
My number matches the table — does that mean the bag is authentic?
No. Counterfeiters copy real, valid serial numbers, so a “correct” serial proves nothing on its own. A table match is just one of dozens of checkpoints — the leather, hardware, stitching, stamping, and the sticker itself all need to be examined.
The sticker is missing or worn off — what now?
That is common on well-loved bags: stickers peel off and fade over time. A missing sticker doesn’t mean the bag is fake, but you can no longer date it by serial number. Authentication then relies on everything else — leather, hardware, construction, and the authenticity card if it survived.
Where do I find the serial number?
The sticker is usually inside the bag: on classic styles (Classic Flap, 2.55) it sits in the bottom-left corner of the lining; on others, check inside a pocket or near a side seam. Look for a small white sticker with a hologram and printed digits. Bags made after April 2021 have a metal microchip plate instead.