GST Number Validator India
Validate GSTIN (GST Identification Number) format online. Decode GST number and identify state code.
About this validator
A GSTIN is the 15-character number every GST-registered business in India carries. It is not random: it encodes the state, the PAN of the owner, how many registrations that PAN has in the state, and a final check character. This tool checks whether a GSTIN is correctly formed and decodes it for you.
It checks the length, the structure, the state code and the check digit, then shows the state name, the embedded PAN, the type of taxpayer from the fourth PAN character and the registration number within the state. A pass means the number is well formed. It does not prove the business is active, so confirm the registration on the GST portal before you rely on it for input tax credit.
How to use it
- Type or paste the GSTIN into the box. Spaces and lowercase are fine.
- Read the result: a green tick means the format and check digit are valid.
- Review the decoded state, PAN, taxpayer type and entity number.
- If it fails, compare the number with the supplier's invoice character by character.
How a GSTIN is structured
The 15 characters are: 2 digits state code, 10 characters PAN of the holder, 1 entity number for that PAN in the state, the letter Z by default, and 1 check character. The check character is computed from the first 14 using a base-36 weighted sum, so a single mistyped character is almost always caught.
Worked example
Example GSTIN 27AAPFU0939F1ZV
| State code | 27, Maharashtra |
| PAN | AAPFU0939F |
| Taxpayer type | Firm (fourth PAN character F) |
| Entity number | 1, the first registration of this PAN in the state |
| Check character | V, valid |
The fourth character of the PAN tells you the holder type: P for an individual, C for a company, F for a firm, H for a Hindu undivided family, T for a trust.
Tips and common mistakes
- Validate a supplier's GSTIN before you accept an invoice. A wrong number can block your input tax credit.
- A valid format does not mean an active registration. Check status and filing history on the GST portal.
- Compare the PAN inside the GSTIN with the supplier's PAN on other documents.
- Make sure the state code matches the place of supply to choose between CGST plus SGST and IGST.
- Never share an OTP or password along with a GSTIN request. Only the number itself is needed.
Frequently asked questions
What does a GSTIN look like?
Fifteen characters, such as 27AAPFU0939F1ZV: two digits for the state, ten for the PAN, then entity number, Z and a check character.
How do I know if a GST number is genuine?
Check the format here, then search the number on the GST portal's taxpayer search to confirm it is active and see its legal name.
What is the state code in a GSTIN?
The first two digits identify the state or union territory, for example 27 for Maharashtra, 29 for Karnataka and 07 for Delhi.
Can a PAN have more than one GSTIN?
Yes. A business gets one GSTIN per state, and can have more than one in a state for separate business verticals. The thirteenth character counts them.
Why does my GSTIN fail the check?
Usually a typo, an O instead of a zero or an I instead of a one. Re-enter it from the original document.
Is the information stored?
No. The check runs in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.