Free HIN Decoder
Decode any 12-character boat Hull Identification Number free — the manufacturer (from the official USCG MIC database of 16,000+ builders), build month and year, model year, and hull serial. No account, no signup, no lookup limit. Handles current-format HINs and both 1972–1984 legacy formats, per 33 CFR 181.
Free · no account · the HIN is on the transom, upper starboard (right) corner
How this HIN decoder works
A HIN like BWCE1234D404 breaks into BWC (manufacturer) + E1234 (hull serial) + D404 (date code: D=April, certified 2004, model year 2004).
| HIN part | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Characters 1–3 | Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC), assigned by the US Coast Guard | 33 CFR 181.25 / USCG MIC database |
| Characters 4–8 | Hull serial number (letters I, O, Q never used) | 33 CFR 181.25 |
| Characters 9–10 | Certification month (A=Jan…L=Dec) and year digit | 33 CFR 181.27 |
| Characters 11–12 | Model year (two digits) | 33 CFR 181.27 |
Boats built 1972–1984 used two legacy date-code layouts (straight-year MMYY and the model-year "M" format) — the decoder handles all three.
Popular builders
HIN lookup FAQ
What is a HIN?
A Hull Identification Number is the 12-character serial number federally required on every boat built or imported into the US since November 1972 (33 CFR 181). Characters 1–3 are the builder's Coast-Guard-assigned MIC, 4–8 the hull serial, and 9–12 the certification date and model year.
Where is the HIN on a boat?
On the outside upper starboard (right) corner of the transom, within two inches of the top. Since 1984 a duplicate is hidden inside the boat as an anti-theft measure — and it appears on the title, registration, and insurance card. All should match the hull exactly.
Is this HIN decoder free?
Yes — free, no account, no lookup limit for individual use. The optional $19.99 Boat History Report adds stolen-boat, auction/salvage, incident, and USCG documentation checks. One-time, no subscription.
Can it decode older boats?
Yes — boats from 1972–1984 used two legacy date formats (straight-year and model-year), both handled here. Pre-1972 hulls predate the federal HIN requirement and often carry non-standard builder numbers; a marine surveyor or state titling office can identify those.
Does a HIN decode show accident or theft history?
No — a decode shows factory identity only (builder, build date, model year, serial). Theft, salvage-auction, and incident records are separate databases, which the $19.99 Boat History Report checks.
Sources & methodology
- HIN format and date codes: 33 CFR Part 181, Subpart C (eCFR)
- Manufacturer identities: USCG Manufacturer Identification Code database (16,000+ records; our copy refreshed monthly)
- HIN location rule: primary HIN on the starboard outboard side of the transom within two inches of the top; duplicate in an unexposed interior location (33 CFR 181.29)
Accuracy & freshness: decode logic implements the federal format rules directly; manufacturer records mirror the public USCG database. Last updated 2026-06-12. Cite this page: CarWhere, "Free HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder.