How to find your hard drive’s model number

If you have an external hard drive, you need to disassemble the enclosure first and then remove the hard drive. Only then can you find the model on the hard drive’s label. 

There are a lot of numbers on a hard drive’s label, but which is the actual “model number?” See the example hard drive labels below to identify your hard drive’s model number.

Select the manufacturer on your hard drive’s label:

Seagate | Maxtor | Western Digital | Fujitsu | Hitachi/HGST | Toshiba | Samsung

Seagate

Seagate model numbers start with “ST” and are often found in the top right corner or left side of the label, near the “firmware version” and “part number.”

Example Seagate model numbers:

Still can’t find your Seagate model number? Try Seagate’s free online Model Number Locator (scroll to the photos at the bottom of the page; DO NOT install the software since your drive needs to remain powered off).

Maxtor

Maxtor model numbers are usually located in the top right corner, bottom left corner, or both.

Example Maxtor model numbers:

Western Digital

Model numbers always start with “WD” (don’t forget the characters after the “-“) and are typically found on the left side of the label. 

Example Western Digital model numbers:

Some Western Digital drives are actually Hitachi. If you see “HUS” in the model number, it’s Hitachi:

• HUS726T4TALE6L4
• HUS726T6TALE6L0

Fujitsu

Model numbers usually start with “MJ” or “MH.” 

Example Fujitsu model numbers:

Hitachi/HGST

Model numbers usually start with “HTS” or “HD” or “HUS” (length is typically 8 or 15 characters). 

Less common prefixes include “DTLA” and “IC.”

Example Hitachi model numbers:

Toshiba

Model numbers start with “MK,” “MQ,” or “MG” (usually 9-10 characters long).

Example Toshiba model numbers:

New (2016+) 3.5″ Toshiba drives may start with “DT” or “HD” (these are actually Hitachi drives).

Example Toshiba/Hitachi model numbers:

Samsung

Model numbers usually start with “HD,” “HM,” “HV,” “SV,” or “SP.”

Example Samsung model numbers:

Some Samsung drives are really Seagate (if you see a model number starting with “ST,” the drive is Seagate):

• ST1000LM024
• ST2000LM003
• ST750LM022

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