How to extract serial numbers from text
Paste a note, invoice, log, or supported text file into Serial Number Extractor. The page puts each match on its own line in Output text and adds Pattern, Line, and Context columns below. Turn categories on or off when the source mixes labeled codes, grouped product keys, and unlabeled alphanumeric serials.
Extract serial numbers in four steps
- Paste text into the input box, or select Upload and choose a
.txt,.csv,.json,.log, or.mdfile. - Choose the categories that match the source: Labeled (S/N, Serial No, Model, P/N), Grouped keys (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX), and Generic alphanumeric serials.
- Leave Unique only enabled to keep the first case-insensitive occurrence of each value. Clear it when repeated occurrences should stay in the results.
- Check Output text and the results table. Select Copy or Download to take the extracted list to another place.
Find product keys and serial numbers in pasted text
Enabled categories run in this order: labeled, grouped, then generic. When matches overlap, the category checked first keeps that part of the text. These four lines produce the list below in source order.
Device S/N: 7K3M9-XJ2QP
License key: ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO-PQRST-UVWXY
Model No: TX-4400
Spare part P/N 88GH22017K3M9-XJ2QP
ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO-PQRST-UVWXY
TX-4400
88GH2201What each serial matching option recognizes
- Labeled (S/N, Serial No, Model, P/N) finds a
4-30-character alphanumeric or hyphenated value after S/N, SN, Serial, Serial No, Serial Number, Model, Part, or P/N. The No labels also accept a period or#. - Grouped keys (XXXX-XXXX-XXXX) finds three to eight hyphen-separated groups. Each group has four to six alphanumeric characters.
- Generic alphanumeric serials finds an
8-24-character value with at least one letter and one digit. Internal hyphens are allowed.
Unique only compares values without regard to case and keeps the first occurrence. Values that differ by another character remain separate.
What the serial number extractor does not validate
The extractor checks shapes, not product records. A value can match a pattern and still have nothing to do with a device, product, license, or part. The page does not check a manufacturer, vendor, or warranty database, and it has no custom pattern field.
Disabled categories produce no matches for their patterns. Output text contains only the values. The table adds Pattern, Line, and Context. If no match remains, the page shows a no-results message and hides the results table.
The browser reads pasted text and selected files, then applies the matching logic there. The tool code does not send entered content with fetch, XMLHttpRequest, sendBeacon, or a form submission.
Examples of serial number extraction
- For an inventory list, keep Labeled (S/N, Serial No, Model, P/N) and Generic alphanumeric serials enabled, then compare each value with its Line and Context entry.
- For a warranty note, extract model and part numbers, then select Copy to place the newline-separated list in a ticket.
- For a text export of grouped license keys, review the Pattern column and select Download. The file name is
serial-numbers.txt.
Choose the right text extractor
Use Serial Number Extractor for labeled, grouped, and mixed letter-and-number codes. It is part of Text Parsing & Data Extraction. Choose the Custom Regex Extractor for a JavaScript regular expression, the ISBN Extractor for ISBN-10 or ISBN-13 candidates with checksum status, or the MAC Address Extractor for MAC formats with OUI and type details.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find serial numbers in a text file?
Select Upload, choose a .txt, .csv, .json, .log, or .md file, and leave the needed categories enabled. The values appear in Output text, with Line and Context details in the table.
What formats does Serial Number Extractor recognize?
It recognizes values after serial, model, part, or S/N labels, grouped keys with three to eight hyphen-separated groups, and 8-24-character alphanumeric values that contain both letters and digits.
Why did my serial number not appear?
A value may be outside the built-in length or character pattern, or its category may be disabled. This extractor does not accept a custom format; use the Custom Regex Extractor for a defined regular expression.
Does Unique only remove repeated serial numbers?
Yes, Unique only removes later matches that compare equal without regard to case and keeps the first occurrence. Clear it when every repeated occurrence should remain in the output.