🔎 How to Read Your Tool’s Serial Number or Date Code
The Key to Unlocking Warranty Coverage — Even Without a Receipt
Can’t find your receipt? You’re not out of luck.
At Tool Beast, we often use your tool’s serial number or date code to check its age, confirm brand-specific warranty eligibility, and determine the right parts to order. But not all serial numbers are created equal — and every brand does it differently.
Here’s how to find and understand your tool’s serial number or date code so we can help you faster.
🧰 Where to Find It
Look for a white, silver, or black sticker (or etched stamp) on one of the following:
Underside or back of the tool body
Near the motor vents
Inside the battery compartment
Bottom of the handle or foot
On the charger (for battery tools)
If it's missing, worn off, or unreadable — snap a photo and bring it in. We'll do our best to help.
🛠️ Brand-by-Brand Serial Number Guide
🔴 Milwaukee Tools
Format Example: F24DF203813897
First 5 characters: version or plant code (F24DF)
Next 6 digits: YYWWD
YY = Year (20 = 2020)
WW = Week (38 = late September)
D = Day of the week (1 = Monday)
Use Case: If you lost your receipt, Milwaukee may accept the production date as the warranty start date — especially within the first 5 years.
🔴 RIDGID Tools
Format Example: CS2137D12345
CS = Factory code
21 = Year (2021)
37 = Week of year
D = Day shift (D = day, N = night)
Remaining = Unique ID
🔧 Reminder: RIDGID’s Lifetime Service Agreement only applies if the tool was registered within 90 days of purchase. If not, it reverts to a 3-year warranty from the purchase date (or manufacture date with no receipt).
🔴 RYOBI Tools
Very similar to RIDGID (both owned by TTI).
Serial includes YYWWD or YYWW format
Often printed on a black-and-white sticker near the model number
PRO TIP: Always register your battery's serial number in addition to tool registration — it’s required for RYOBI and RIDGID battery claims.
🔴 DeWALT
Older tools: Date wheel or ink-stamped number
Newer tools: Serial format often includes YYWW or full production date
Date code may be part of the same sticker as the model number
🗓️ DeWALT will often go by the manufacturing date if you don’t have a receipt — but coverage may be limited depending on the tool type.
🔴 Makita
Often uses a date wheel or a 5–6 digit ink stamp
Look for a code like
19B14(meaning 2019, February 14th)Might also include a tool-specific version code on the same label
Tip: Register online for 3-year extended coverage — without a receipt, the date code becomes even more important.
🧾 Why This Matters
Even if you don’t have your receipt, serial numbers help us:
Estimate if the tool is still under warranty
Find the correct parts diagrams and version codes
File warranty claims for brands that allow it
Prevent unnecessary delays in your repair
🔧 Need Help Finding or Understanding Your Serial Number?
We’re pros at tracking down and decoding these. Just:
📸 Snap a photo of your tool’s label
📧 Email or text it to us
🏪 Or bring your tool in — we’ll handle the rest
📍 Tool Beast — 745 Development Drive, Kingston, ON
📞 (XXX) XXX-XXXX | 📧 info@toolbeast.ca
📦 Check your warranty or book a pickup