GSTIN Verification & Validator
Validate any GST number in seconds. We check the format, state code and check digit, and decode the PAN, state and holder type behind it. Paste a whole list to validate GST numbers in bulk.
| State | Maharashtra (27) |
| PAN of holder | AAPFU0939F |
| Holder type | Firm / LLP |
| Registration in state | Entity no. 1 |
| Check digit | V (matches) |
This checks the GSTIN format, state code and check digit, so it catches typos and fake numbers. It does not confirm live registration status. For that, verify on the official GST portal.
How to read a GST number
Every GST number carries meaning in its 15 characters. Decoding it tells you which state the business is registered in and whose PAN it belongs to, and the final digit proves the number was not simply made up.
- Characters 1 to 2 — the state code, such as 27 for Maharashtra or 29 for Karnataka.
- Characters 3 to 12 — the 10-character PAN of the business or person.
- Character 13 — how many times that PAN has registered in the state.
- Character 14 — a default letter, normally Z.
- Character 15 — a check digit that must match the other 14, which is how fakes are caught.
There is a sixth clue hidden inside the PAN. Its fifth character — the sixth character of the GSTIN overall — encodes the type of holder: P for an individual or proprietor, C for a company, F for a firm or LLP, H for a HUF, T for a trust, A for an association of persons, and G for government.
GSTIN example, decoded
Take 27AAPFU0939F1ZV. The 27 is Maharashtra. AAPFU0939F is the PAN, and its fifth character F says the holder is a firm or LLP. The 1 means this is the first registration for that PAN in Maharashtra, the Z is the standard default, and the V is the check digit calculated from everything before it. Change any character and the V stops matching — which is exactly what this tool tests.
What the check digit actually proves
The 15th character is not random. It is computed from the first 14 using the official GSTN algorithm, a weighted sum over a 36-character alphabet. That means a GSTIN validates itself: a typo, a transposed pair of characters or an invented number will almost always produce a check digit that does not match, and this page will say so immediately.
What it does not prove is that the registration is live. A number can be structurally perfect and still belong to a business whose registration has been cancelled or suspended. Structural validation catches the careless and the fabricated; the GST portal is what confirms current status.
Validating GST numbers in bulk
If you handle books for more than one business, checking suppliers one at a time is the slow way to find the problem. Switch to the bulk tab, paste up to 500 GST numbers, and every one comes back with a verdict, the state, the PAN and the holder type, ready to download as a CSV.
This matters most before you claim input tax credit. A supplier GSTIN that fails the check digit was never going to reconcile, and finding that at filing time is expensive. The whole thing runs in your browser — your supplier list is never uploaded anywhere.
Why verify a GST number?
Before you claim input tax credit on a supplier's invoice, that supplier's GSTIN needs to be genuine. A quick format and check-digit test catches typos and invented numbers instantly. For full confidence that a business is registered and active, follow up with a lookup on the official GST portal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GSTIN?+−
A GSTIN, or Goods and Services Tax Identification Number, is a unique 15-character number given to every business registered under GST in India. It is built from the state code, the business PAN, a registration count, a default letter and a final check digit.
What is the format of a GSTIN?+−
The 15 characters break down as: the first 2 digits are the state code, the next 10 are the holder's PAN, the 13th is the registration number for that PAN in the state, the 14th is a default 'Z', and the 15th is a checksum. For example, in 27AAPFU0939F1ZV, 27 is Maharashtra and AAPFU0939F is the PAN.
How do I validate a GST number?+−
Paste it into the box above. The tool checks that it is 15 characters, that the pattern matches the official GSTIN structure, that the state code is real, and that the final check digit matches the value calculated from the first 14 characters. Anything that fails one of those tests is not a genuine GSTIN.
Can I validate GST numbers in bulk?+−
Yes. Switch to the bulk tab and paste up to 500 GST numbers, one per line or separated by commas. You get a valid or invalid verdict for each with the state, PAN and holder type decoded, and you can download the whole result as a CSV. It runs entirely in your browser, so the list never leaves your computer.
Does this tool confirm a GST number is active?+−
No. This validator checks the format, the state code and the check digit, which is enough to catch typos and made-up numbers. To confirm a business is actually registered and active, look the GSTIN up on the official GST portal at services.gst.gov.in.
How can I tell a fake GST number?+−
A genuine GSTIN passes the check-digit test built into its 15th character. If the last character does not match the value calculated from the first 14, the number is invalid. This tool runs that calculation for you, so an altered or invented number shows up immediately.
How do I read a GST number?+−
Read it in five parts. Characters 1 to 2 give the state, 3 to 12 are the PAN of the business or person, character 13 says how many times that PAN has registered in that state, character 14 is almost always Z, and character 15 is the check digit. The fifth character of the PAN also tells you the holder type — P for an individual, C for a company, F for a firm or LLP, and so on.
Is this GSTIN validator free?+−
Yes, free with no signup and no limit, for single numbers and for bulk lists.
Other free tools
Paavti has a set of free tools for Indian freelancers and small businesses, all usable without an account:
- GST invoice generator — a compliant tax invoice with CGST/SGST/IGST split
- Online quotation maker — quotes and estimates with GST and validity
- Payment receipt generator — UPI, bank transfer, cash and cheque receipts
- GST rate finder — HSN and SAC lookup with current rates
- GST calculator — add or remove GST from any amount
Billing a GST-registered client?
Create a compliant GST invoice with your client's GSTIN and the right tax split, free and in under a minute.
Open the free invoice generator