Kenmore Serial Number Age Decoder

Tag Location Guide

Kenmore equipment typically displays the model and serial data tag on a manufacturer rating plate. Look for a label that lists "Model" and "Serial" and check common locations by product type: inside doors, behind access panels, on the back panel, or near the compressor / condenser area.

The Key Thing to Know About Kenmore

Kenmore does not manufacture any of its own appliances. Kenmore is a brand sold through Sears and related retailers, but all Kenmore appliances are built by third-party manufacturers — known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners — and then badged and sold under the Kenmore name.

This means there is no single "Kenmore serial number format." The serial number format on your Kenmore appliance follows the encoding system of whichever manufacturer actually built it — Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, LG, Bosch, or another brand. To decode the serial number correctly, you first need to identify that manufacturer.

How to Identify the Manufacturer from the Model Number

The manufacturer can be identified from the first three digits of the Kenmore MODEL number (not the serial number). The model number is found on the same data label as the serial number. Common manufacturer prefix codes:

Once you know the manufacturer, use their serial format to decode the manufacture date. The decoder on this site includes a Kenmore shortcut that provides this guidance automatically.

Where to Find Your Kenmore Serial and Model Numbers

Both are on the same data label. The model number prefix is what you need first:

• Washers / Dryers: Inside the lid or door opening, on the rim
• Refrigerators: Inside the fresh food compartment, on the side wall
• Dishwashers: Inner edge of the door, left side when open
• Ranges: On the oven door frame or back panel
• Microwaves: Inside the cavity on the side or ceiling wall

Common Mistakes With Kenmore Appliances

Trying to decode the serial number without first checking the model prefix. Without knowing which manufacturer built the appliance, the serial number cannot be decoded accurately. The first step is always to read the model number and identify the first three digits.

Using the serial number instead of the model number to find the manufacturer. The serial number identifies your individual unit; the model number identifies the product and — through its prefix — the manufacturer. For Kenmore, the model number is the key starting point.

Assuming all Kenmore appliances are made by the same manufacturer. A Kenmore refrigerator and a Kenmore washer purchased in the same year may have been built by completely different companies with different serial formats.

Decode by Manufacturer