Where to Find Appliance Model Number: Every Appliance Guide
My dishwasher died mid-cycle last year. The repair company's first question: "What's the model number?" I didn't know. I had to call them back. Here's exactly where to look so you're never caught without it.
Why you need your appliance model number before something breaks
Last year my dishwasher stopped mid-cycle. I called a repair company. First question: "What's your model number?" I had no idea. I put them on hold, pulled the dishwasher out, found the label with my phone flashlight, misread it once, and called back with the right number. The technician was polite about it. I was embarrassed.
A few months later I tried to order a replacement part for that same dishwasher. Got the model number wrong by one digit. Waited two weeks for the wrong part. Waited another week for a refund and the right one. The dishwasher sat there the whole time.
Both of those problems were completely avoidable. The fix: find your model numbers now, when everything works. Five minutes per appliance. Keep them somewhere you'll actually find — ideally as part of your home maintenance record where appliance specs, service history, and contractor contacts all live together.
Where to find your model number for every appliance
The model number is almost always on a sticker or metal label. Here's where to look:
Refrigerator
Check three locations in this order:
Pro tip: Use your phone flashlight. The label is small and sometimes hard to see without light.
Dishwasher
Two common locations:
If you don't see it, try opening the control panel — some labels are underneath.
Washing Machine
Depends on type, but check:
Dryer
Check these spots:
Oven / Range
Ovens hide their labels well:
Microwave
Usually easy to find:
Water Heater
Different location than indoor appliances:
Air Conditioner / Furnace
Check the unit itself and near controls:
What the label actually looks like
The model number sticker usually looks like a white label with black text. It's small — usually 2-4 inches wide. It has the manufacturer name, a bunch of specs, and usually one line that says:
MODEL: ABC123XYZ
Or sometimes just "MOD:" or "Model No:". That's what you need.
Important: The serial number is different. Serial number is usually longer and shows when/where the unit was made. Don't confuse the two. You need the MODEL number.
found your model number? save it
Add your appliances to [ kept ] with their model numbers. Next time something breaks or you need a replacement part, you'll have it in seconds — not hunting through your house with a flashlight.
save your appliancesHere's what a saved appliance looks like in kept — model number, brand, color, price paid, and full specs pulled automatically. The next time a repair person asks for the model number, you open the app and read it off in seconds.
Brand-specific model number guides
Different brands have quirks about where they place labels and how they format model numbers. Here's what to know for the most common brands.
Where to find Kenmore model numbers
Kenmore appliances are manufactured by several different companies (Whirlpool, LG, Electrolux) and sold under the Kenmore name — so label placement varies more than other brands.
Where to find Whirlpool model numbers
Whirlpool is one of the most consistent brands for label placement. They also manufacture Maytag, Amana, JennAir, and KitchenAid — so the locations below often apply to those brands too.
Where to find Amana model numbers
Amana is owned by Whirlpool, so label placement is very similar. Amana focuses on refrigerators, washers, dryers, and HVAC equipment.
Where to find Bosch dishwasher model and serial numbers
Bosch is known for its dishwashers and is one of the most-searched brands for model number help — the label location isn't obvious.
Where to find KitchenAid model numbers
KitchenAid is also owned by Whirlpool, but they manufacture a wider range including stand mixers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and ranges.
What if you can't find the label?
- Check the manual or warranty paperwork: The model number is usually listed (though sometimes only a partial number)
- Check your receipt or original purchase box: The box usually has the full model number printed on it
- Contact the manufacturer: Call them with any information you have (brand, approximate size, when you bought it). They can sometimes look it up
- Check parts: Individual replacement parts sometimes have the appliance model number printed on them
- Take a photo of the manufacturer name and any numbers you see: Show it to a repair person — they can often identify the model
Why this matters beyond just repairs
You need your appliance model numbers for more than just emergency repairs:
- Ordering parts: Online part retailers need exact model numbers
- Warranty claims: Manufacturers need the model number to verify warranty coverage
- Replacement filters or accessories: Knowing your model means you buy the right filter, bulb, or part every time
- Selling your home: Buyers want to know the specs of appliances included in the sale
- Insurance claims: If an appliance is damaged, you may need to provide the model number
- Maintenance history: Logging service dates against a specific model in your home maintenance log is far more useful than just "furnace serviced 2024"
FAQ
Is the serial number the same as the model number?
No. The model number identifies what appliance you have — the features, size, and configuration. The serial number identifies your specific unit — when and where it was made. Both are usually on the same label, but they're different numbers. For ordering parts or filing warranty claims, you need the model number.
Where is the model number on a Kenmore refrigerator?
On most Kenmore refrigerators, the model number label is inside the fresh food compartment — check the side walls near the top or the ceiling just inside the door. If it's not there, check the door jamb. Kenmore model numbers typically start with a 3-digit prefix like 106, 253, 363, or 795 — that prefix identifies the actual manufacturer (Whirlpool, Frigidaire, LG, etc.).
Where is the model number on a Kenmore stove?
On most Kenmore ranges, check the frame behind the storage drawer at the bottom — pull out the drawer and look at the metal frame. If it's not there, check inside the oven door frame or on the back of the unit.
Where is the Amana serial number located?
Amana serial numbers are on the same label as the model number. For refrigerators, that's typically the side wall inside the fresh food compartment. For washers and dryers, it's inside the door frame. The serial number on Amana appliances uses the second character to encode the manufacture year — C=2019, D=2020, E=2021, F=2022, G=2023, H=2024.
Where to find the Bosch dishwasher serial number?
Open the dishwasher door completely flat. Look at the left side wall of the tub interior — the label is there, visible only when the door is fully open. It shows both the model number (starts with SH) and the serial number (usually FD followed by numbers and letters).
Where is the model number on a KitchenAid dishwasher?
Open the door fully and look at the left side of the tub opening — the label is on the left wall of the tub frame. KitchenAid dishwasher model numbers typically start with KDTE, KDFE, KDPE, or KDTM.
Where should I save my appliance model numbers?
Not on a sticky note — it falls off. Not in a photo buried in your camera roll — you'll never find it. The best option is a dedicated app that stores it by appliance, searchable, always on your phone. kept is built specifically for this — scan a barcode or type it in, and your model number is saved forever.
Can I use a partial model number?
Sometimes. A partial number can narrow down the search, but for ordering the exact part you need, you want the full model number from the label. Even one character difference can mean a completely different part.