What Is the TAC in an IMEI Number and How to Read It
An IMEI is 15 digits, and each section means something. The most useful part for buyers is the first eight digits — the TAC (Type Allocation Code).
The first 8 digits = TAC
The TAC identifies the exact make and model of the device. Carriers and lookup services use it to decode what phone an IMEI belongs to — which is how a check confirms the model matches the listing.
The rest of the IMEI
- Digits 9–14: the serial/IMEI-SV portion, unique to the device.
- Digit 15: a Luhn check digit used to validate the number.
How to read it without doing math
You do not need to decode it by hand. The Full IMEI Check reads the TAC and returns the real model name for you.
Background: see our explainer on what an IMEI is and why it matters for the full picture.
Bottom line
The TAC is the model fingerprint inside the IMEI. Let the Full IMEI Check decode it for you.
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