Not sure which vacuum model you have? Find the rating plate, data plate, model number and serial number on common vacuum types before choosing replacement parts.
Finding the correct vacuum bag, filter, hose, floor tool, battery or replacement part usually starts with identifying the exact vacuum model. The large name printed on the front of a vacuum is not always enough: one product range can contain several models, generations or production versions that look similar but use different parts.
Depending on the manufacturer, the identifying sticker may be called a rating plate, data plate, identification label or product-information sticker. This guide shows where to look on barrel and canister vacuums, upright vacuums, stick and cordless vacuums, backpack vacuums and robot vacuums, and explains which information to record before ordering a spare part.
Where is the model number on a vacuum cleaner?
Quick answer: Look for a rating plate, data plate, identification label or product sticker attached to the main vacuum body. Common locations include underneath the machine, behind the bin, on the rear or motor housing, around the battery, or inside the handle on some cordless vacuums. Copy the complete model code, including any letters or suffixes.
These are common locations rather than universal positions. The exact position varies by manufacturer and model.
Model number, serial number or part number: which one do I need?
A vacuum identification label can contain several different numbers. They do not necessarily identify the same thing.
Model number
The model number identifies the machine model, type or version. It may appear beside wording such as Model, Model No., Model ID, Type or Product Code. For spare-part identification, this is normally the best place to start.
Serial number
The serial number identifies an individual machine. Manufacturers can use it for warranty, registration, service, production tracking or more detailed machine identification. Record the complete model information first and keep the serial number available in case it is required to confirm the exact machine.
Part number
A battery, charger, hose, wand, floor tool, powered head or other removable component can have its own part number or identification label. That number may identify the component rather than the vacuum. If you are trying to identify the vacuum itself, start with the label attached to the main machine body.
What information should I copy from the vacuum label?
When you find the rating plate or data plate, take a clear photograph or copy the information exactly as it appears. Record:
- the brand;
- the complete model or type;
- every letter and number in the model code;
- suffixes or revision identifiers shown with the model;
- the serial number, if present; and
- any manufacturer product code that may help distinguish the version.
Do not shorten a model code because part of it looks unimportant. A suffix, production code or series identifier can sometimes distinguish machines that use different replacement components.
How to find the model number on a barrel or canister vacuum
Switch the vacuum off and unplug it before moving or turning it over. Check the underside of the main body, around or between the wheels, the rear housing and any rating plate attached directly to the body.
Commercial wet-and-dry vacuums can be checked in the same general way: inspect the motor head and main housing rather than treating the tank, hose or floor tool as the machine identifier.
The important point is not the brand shown in the example. It is the type of identification plate and the places on the machine where you should look. Look for wording such as Model, Model No., Type or similar.
If you own a Miele machine, Janitorial Depot also stocks Miele vacuum bags and spare parts; use the complete model information when checking compatibility.
How to find the model number on an upright vacuum
On an upright vacuum, inspect the main vertical body first. Typical areas include:
- the rear of the main body;
- behind the removable dust bin;
- beside the hose or wand-storage area;
- around the rear wheels; and
- underneath the floor base.
Some upright vacuums place a relatively small model field beside a much larger serial number or barcode, so photograph the entire label rather than copying only the most prominent number.
If the machine has detachable tools, hoses or powered accessories, do not assume that a number printed on one of those components identifies the complete vacuum.
How to find the model number on a stick or cordless vacuum
Stick and cordless vacuums can be more confusing because the vacuum body, battery, charger and powered floor head may all contain separate identification information.
The correct place to look depends on the machine design. Common locations include the battery area, underneath a removable battery, inside the handle, behind the bin, behind a removable filter or around the main motor body. If you are identifying the vacuum, use the information belonging to the machine itself rather than a number found only on its charger, dock or floor head.
How to find the model number on a Dyson V11 stick vacuum
Dyson V11 machines are a good example of why it is important to check the actual identification-label location rather than relying only on the visible product name.
Dyson Australia's current support guidance lists two important identification-label locations for cordless machines around the battery and handle:
On the back or underside of the battery pack
For cordless vacuums with a screw-in battery, Dyson states that the serial-number sticker is printed on the back of the battery pack at the base of the handle. Inspect the battery carefully before assuming there is no machine-identification label.
Inside the handle after removing the battery
For cordless vacuums with a click-in battery, remove the battery to reveal the identification label inside the machine's handle.
Dyson's support page describes these positions as serial-number locations. Because the machine-identification label can also carry an SV code or other model information, photograph the complete sticker rather than recording only one field.
Where an SV code is shown, record the complete code as well as the serial number. Janitorial Depot's Dyson vacuum parts and accessories include products that distinguish between SV variants, so a broad name such as "V8" or "V11" may not always be enough for a model-specific part.
How to find the model number on a backpack vacuum
For a backpack vacuum, start with the main motor housing. Common label positions include:
- the rear of the motor housing;
- the side of the main body;
- the underside of the machine;
- near the power-lead entry on corded machines; and
- around the battery-mounting area on cordless machines.
Use the label attached to the vacuum body when identifying the machine. A number printed only on the hose, wand, floor tool, harness or detachable component may identify that component instead.
This is particularly important with commercial backpack vacuums because similar-looking machines can use different hoses, bags, filters, motors, fittings or body components. For model-specific options, see Pacvac vacuum cleaners and spare parts and Pullman vacuum spare parts.
How to find the model number on a robot vacuum
Robot vacuums commonly place their identification label on the underside of the robot. Depending on the machine, model information may also be behind the dust bin, beneath a removable cover or within the device-information area of the manufacturer's app.
The robot and its charging or self-emptying dock can have separate model numbers. If you need a replacement part for the robot, identify the robot. If you need a component for the dock or station, check the dock's own identification information as well.
Once the machine is identified, compare the exact model against the supported models listed in the robot vacuum spare parts and accessories range.
Vacuum model-number terminology and examples by brand
Manufacturers do not always use the same terminology. The machine identifier may be described as a model number, type, data plate, rating plate or serial-number sticker. These examples show why it is useful to photograph the complete label.
What if I find more than one label?
Finding several different numbers on a vacuum system is normal. The main vacuum, battery, charger, docking station, hose, wand, powered head and other removable components can each carry separate identifiers.
Ask what you are trying to identify. If you need the vacuum model, begin with the identification label attached to the main vacuum or motor body. If you need a particular battery, charger or powered accessory, record the information attached to that component as well.
Is the model number enough to choose a vacuum spare part?
Not always. The complete vacuum model is the best starting point, but spare-part compatibility can involve more than the machine name.
Depending on the part, you may also need to confirm the manufacturer part number, hose or wand diameter, machine-end connection, handle-end connection, taper, locking tabs, powered or non-powered tool type, corded or cordless version, battery system, machine generation, production revision or component dimensions.
Two hoses or floor tools can have the same nominal diameter but still use different cuffs, tapers or locking systems. Filters can appear almost identical while fitting different housings. Bags can have similar dimensions but use different collars or seals.
For commercial equipment, use the commercial vacuum spare-parts range and confirm the complete model and fitting details. If you need to check a wand, hose or floor-tool diameter, use our vacuum rod and hose measuring guide.
Never choose an expensive motor, electrical component or structural spare by appearance alone.
Why the complete vacuum model number matters
A broad description such as "Pacvac backpack vacuum" or "Dyson V11" may still leave more than one possible machine version. A complete model reference gives you a much stronger starting point for checking product compatibility.
The practical sequence is simple: identify the vacuum, identify the component, then confirm compatibility before ordering.
Can't find your vacuum model number?
If the label is missing, damaged or unreadable, do not guess from the appearance or colour of the vacuum. Check the original instruction manual, packaging, purchase receipt or order confirmation if they are available. For connected machines, the manufacturer's app or support system may also contain identifying information.
What photos should I send?
- The complete vacuum in one useful photo.
- The full rating plate, data plate or identification label.
- The old part you need to replace.
- Where that part attaches to the vacuum.
- Any numbers printed, stamped or moulded into the component.
Also tell us which replacement part you need. Clear photos usually provide more useful information than a description such as "I need a hose for my backpack vacuum".
If you still cannot identify the machine, contact Janitorial Depot with the photos and any numbers you can read from the label.
Found your model number?
Once you have identified the complete model, use it when checking compatibility for replacement bags, filters, hoses, floor tools, batteries and other spare parts. Some components will still require an additional measurement, fitting check or part number.
Janitorial Depot carries replacement parts across domestic and commercial vacuum machines, including bags, filters, hoses, rods, floor tools, motors, accessories and model-specific components.
If you are still unsure, contact Janitorial Depot with the machine model, photographs of the label and the part you are trying to replace before ordering.
Vacuum model number FAQs
Where is the model number located on a vacuum cleaner?
The model number is normally found on a rating plate, data plate or identification label attached to the main vacuum body. Common locations include the underside, rear housing, main motor body, battery area or behind a removable component. Exact placement varies by manufacturer and model.
Is the model number the same as the serial number?
No. The model number identifies the machine model or version, while the serial number identifies an individual machine. Both can be useful when confirming an exact vacuum or replacement part.
Where is the identification number on a Dyson V11 vacuum?
Depending on the battery arrangement, check the back or underside of the battery pack at the base of the handle. On click-in battery machines, remove the battery and inspect inside the machine's handle. Dyson describes these as serial-number locations, so photograph the whole identification sticker and record any SV code shown as well.
What is the SV number on a Dyson vacuum?
The SV code is a Dyson machine identifier used on many cordless vacuum variants. If an SV code appears on the identification label, record the complete code when checking model-specific replacement parts.
Can a number on the battery identify my vacuum?
Not necessarily. A battery can carry information relating to the battery itself as well as machine identification information. Photograph the entire label and confirm which field identifies the vacuum before choosing a machine-specific spare part.
Can the number on my hose or floor head identify my vacuum?
Not necessarily. Detachable accessories can have their own model or part numbers. Start with the identification label attached to the main vacuum body.
What should I do if the label is unreadable?
Take clear photographs of the complete vacuum, the damaged label, the old part and the connection point. The original manual, packaging, receipt or manufacturer support system may also help identify the machine.