How to check a PAN number
- Type or paste the PAN — spaces and small letters are fine.
- Optionally enter the holder's name to check that the 5th letter matches.
- To check many, paste a list or a column from Excel; copy the valid ones in one click.
PAN structure
| Characters | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Alphabetic series (AAA to ZZZ) |
| 4 | Holder type — see below |
| 5 | First letter of the surname (individuals) or of the name (others) |
| 6–9 | Sequential number 0001–9999 |
| 10 | Alphabetic check character |
Holder type (4th letter)
- P — Individual (proprietor)
- C — Company
- F — Firm or LLP
- H — Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
- A — Association of Persons (AOP)
- B — Body of Individuals (BOI)
- T — Trust
- L — Local authority
- J — Artificial juridical person
- G — Government
- K — Krish (trust)
- E — LLP
A correctly formed PAN can still be fake or inoperative (for example, not linked with Aadhaar). To confirm it, use “Verify Your PAN” on the Income Tax e-filing portal. Checking a business? Try the GST number validator; deducting TDS? See the TDS calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the format of a PAN number?
Ten characters: five letters, four digits, one letter — for example ABCPE1234F. The 4th letter is the holder type (P = individual, C = company, F = firm…) and the 5th is the first letter of the surname or entity name.
Does this tell me the PAN holder's name?
No. Only the Income Tax Department can confirm a PAN's holder. Use “Verify Your PAN” on the e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) with the PAN, name and date of birth. This tool checks the format so you catch typos before submitting.
What do the PAN holder type letters mean?
P individual, C company, F firm/LLP, H HUF, A association of persons, B body of individuals, T trust, L local authority, J artificial juridical person, G government.
Can I check PANs from a GSTIN?
Yes — paste a GSTIN and the PAN inside it (characters 3–12) is checked. To check the whole GSTIN, use the GST number validator.
Last updated: 25 September 2026Suggest an improvement · Report a problem