How to Find Your Device Serial Number in Linux (All Distributions)
Finding your device serial number in Linux is a common requirement for hardware troubleshooting, warranty claims, and system inventory. Unlike Windows, Linux doesn’t show this information in a graphical settings panel—but it is easily accessible from the terminal.
This guide covers the fastest and most reliable ways to find your Linux device serial number, using standard commands that work across most distributions.
Quick Answer: How Do I Find My Device Serial Number in Linux?
To find your device serial number in Linux, open a terminal and run:
This command retrieves the serial number directly from the system BIOS.
✅ Works on most laptops and desktops
⚠️ Requires root (sudo) access
What Is a Device Serial Number in Linux?
A device serial number is a unique hardware identifier assigned by the manufacturer. It is stored in the system’s BIOS or firmware and is commonly used for:
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Warranty and support verification
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Asset and inventory management
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Hardware identification in enterprise environments
Linux reads this information directly from firmware using system utilities.
Method 1: Find Serial Number Using dmidecode (Recommended)
This is the most accurate and widely supported method.
Steps
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Open the terminal
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Run:
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Enter your password when prompted
Your device serial number will be displayed immediately.
📌 If
dmidecodeis not installed, install it using your package manager.
Method 2: Get Serial Number Using /sys File System
Some systems expose serial data through the /sys directory.
Command:
This method does not require sudo on some distributions.
Method 3: View Serial Number with lshw
lshw provides detailed hardware information.
Steps
This method is useful when you need serial numbers for multiple components.
Common Issues and Limitations
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Virtual machines often show generic or empty serial numbers
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Custom-built PCs may return “Not
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