Several iPad generations look almost identical, so figuring out which one you have takes more than a quick glance. Start with the model name in Settings, then use the hardware model number to pin down the exact version. If your iPad won't turn on or isn't with you, its markings and your Apple Account offer other routes.
Find your iPad's name in Settings
If you can open Settings on your iPad, start here. The About screen gives you the product name without needing another device.
Open Settings.
Tap General.
Select About.
Read Model Name. That's the product name you're looking for.
Don't confuse it with Name, which is a separate field and isn't the model identifier. For the hardware variant, move on to the model number.
Get the exact model from its A-number
The A-number identifies your iPad's model and hardware variant.
On the About screen, find Model Number. The value initially displayed beside it is a part number.
Tap that value to reveal the hardware model number, which begins with A.
Open Apple's Identify your iPad model page.
Find your A-number in the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, or iPad Pro section.
Read the heading above the matching entry for the model name.
Check the matching entry for the Wi-Fi, cellular, or regional variant associated with that number.
If the iPad won't turn on, inspect its markings
Remove any case covering the back of your iPad.
Look for a model number beginning with A on the rear casing. Only some iPads have this marking.
If there's no model number on the back, inspect the USB-C or Lightning connector under bright overhead light.
Look at the connector's upper interior surface, toward the display, for the number.
Match it with an entry on Apple's Identify your iPad model page.
You don't need to power on or unlock the iPad to read the connector marking.
Check your account when the iPad isn't with you
When you can't inspect the iPad itself, check its entry in your Apple Account's device list. The information shown varies by device, so this route doesn't guarantee the complete generation or regional variant.
On an iPhone or another iPad signed in to the same account, open Settings.
Tap your name at the top.
Scroll down to the device list.
Tap the target iPad to inspect its device information.
To use a browser instead, including on Windows or Android, sign in at account.apple.com.
Select Devices.
If prompted, select View Details.
Complete any authentication prompt.
Select your iPad to inspect its information.
Why appearance alone can be misleading
Shared designs make different iPad generations easy to confuse.
Compare your iPad with the photographs and descriptions on Apple's Identify your iPad model page. Check its screen size, cameras, Home button, top-button Touch ID, Face ID, connectors, and SIM-tray placement to narrow the candidates.
Follow the candidate model's technical-specifications link for additional details.
Confirm the match with an A-number before settling on an exact generation. Looks alone don't distinguish generations that share a design.
Use a connected Mac or Windows PC
A computer offers another route when it recognizes your connected iPad. This method requires completing any unlock and computer-trust prompts, so it doesn't bypass a forgotten passcode.
Connect your iPad to the computer with a USB cable.
On a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, open Finder.
Select your iPad in the sidebar.
Click General. The model name appears beneath the device name.
On Windows, open Apple Devices.
Select your iPad's icon in the sidebar to view its device details.
If you need the Windows app, open Apple's download page.
Follow Download the Apple Devices app for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
iTunes belongs to older computer workflows. Use Finder on a current Mac or Apple Devices on Windows.
Use a serial number when you still need help
Find the serial number on the barcode label of your iPad's matching original box.
Without the box, inspect the back of the iPad for a readable serial-number marking, if present.
For an unconfigured iPad at the Hello screen, tap the bottom-right Info button to see its identifiers, including the serial number. This route supplies an identifier without guaranteeing that the screen displays the model name.
Give the serial number to Apple Support to identify the iPad.
Keep the matching original box handy when the iPad is missing or won't turn on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the installed iPadOS version affect an A-number lookup?
No. Matching the hardware model number against Apple's identification list is independent of the installed iPadOS version.
Can I check my Apple Account's iPad entry from a Mac?
Yes. On a Mac signed in to the same Apple Account, open Apple menu > System Settings > [your name]. Scroll to the device list, then click the iPad to inspect its information. The available details vary by device.
How do I identify an iPad managed by my organization?
Ask your administrator to check its Apple Business record. An authorized administrator opens Devices > Inventory, searches for the iPad, and selects its record. The device details include the model.
Can Apple Configurator show information about my iPad?
Yes. In Apple Configurator for Mac, select the recognized, connected iPad and choose File > Get Info. Use the displayed hardware information or serial number for identification.