What is a GSTIN?
A GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is the 15-character number issued to every business registered under GST in India. A business gets a separate GSTIN for each state it is registered in, all built on the same PAN.
How a GSTIN is structured
| Characters | Meaning | Example (27AAPFU0939F1ZV) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | State code of the registration | 27 (Maharashtra) |
| 3-12 | PAN of the business | AAPFU0939F |
| 13 | Entity number: which registration this is for the same PAN in the same state (1-9, then A-Z) | 1 |
| 14 | Z by default | Z |
| 15 | Check digit, calculated from the first 14 characters | V |
What this GSTIN validator checks
- Format: 15 characters in the right pattern of digits and letters.
- State code: the first two digits are a real GST state or territory code.
- Check digit: the last character matches the one calculated from the first 14. A single mistyped or swapped character almost always breaks it, which is how most typing errors are caught.
It also shows the PAN inside the GSTIN and what its 4th character says about the type of business, for example a company, a firm or an individual proprietor.
What it can’t tell you
A GSTIN can pass every check here and still be cancelled, suspended or never issued. The validator cannot show the legal name, registration status or filing history. For that, search the GSTIN on the official GST portal, which is free for one number at a time, or use the GST Verification API to check suppliers and customers in bulk inside your own systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a GST number search?
No. It checks whether a GSTIN is correctly formed, without looking it up anywhere. To see who a GSTIN belongs to and whether it is active, use the GST portal’s taxpayer search or a GST verification API.
Why does a GSTIN fail the check digit?
Usually because of a typing error: one wrong character, two characters swapped, or the letter O typed instead of the digit 0. Ask for the GSTIN again, ideally copied from the GST registration certificate or an invoice.
Can two GSTINs have the same PAN?
Yes. A business registered in several states has one GSTIN per state, all containing the same PAN. Several registrations in the same state are told apart by the 13th character.
Is the GSTIN I type stored anywhere?
No. The check runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to Veriqos or any other server.
