Developers
Free VIN Decoder API
Endpoint
GET https://vinwhere.com/api/v1/decode?vin=<VIN>
curl "https://vinwhere.com/api/v1/decode?vin=1HGCM82633A004352"{
"ok": true,
"vin": "1HGCM82633A004352",
"valid": true,
"checkDigitValid": true,
"decode": {
"year": "2003",
"make": "HONDA",
"model": "Accord",
"trim": "EX",
"bodyClass": "Coupe",
"vehicleType": "PASSENGER CAR",
"engineCylinders": "6",
"displacement": "3",
"fuelType": "Gasoline",
"driveType": "FWD",
"manufacturer": "HONDA",
"plantCountry": "UNITED STATES (USA)"
},
"attribution": "Powered by VinWhere — https://vinwhere.com"
}Response fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| vin | Normalized 17-character VIN |
| valid | Whether the VIN passed structural validation |
| checkDigitValid | ISO 3779 check-digit result (true / false / null) |
| decode.year | Model year |
| decode.make | Manufacturer make |
| decode.model | Model name |
| decode.trim | Trim or series, when available |
| decode.bodyClass | Body style |
| decode.vehicleType | Vehicle type (car, truck, MPV, motorcycle) |
| decode.engineCylinders / displacement | Engine cylinders and litres |
| decode.fuelType | Primary fuel type |
| decode.driveType | Drivetrain (FWD, RWD, AWD, 4WD) |
| decode.plantCountry | Assembly country |
Attribution
The free API is offered on the condition that you credit VinWhere with a visible, crawlable link near where the decoded data appears. Each response also includes an attribution string. Paste this HTML:
<a href="https://vinwhere.com" rel="noopener">
Powered by VinWhere — Free VIN Decoder
</a>Using AI? Try the MCP server
VinWhere also runs a Model Context Protocol server so AI assistants like Claude and Cursor can decode VINs as a tool.
VIN Decoder MCP Server →Frequently asked questions
Is the VIN decoder API free?+
Yes. The VinWhere VIN decoder API is free and requires no API key. Send a GET request with a VIN and receive JSON factory specifications.
Do I need an API key?+
No. The decode endpoint is public and open (CORS-enabled), so you can call it from a server or directly from the browser without authentication.
Where does the data come from?+
Factory specifications come from the official NHTSA vPIC database. The API returns vehicle specifications only — never owner names, addresses, or DMV records.
Is there a rate limit?+
Please keep usage reasonable and cache responses where possible; decoded VINs are stable. For high-volume or commercial use, link back to VinWhere and reach out before scaling.