How to Find Your Chromebook Model Number (Every Method)

Knowing your Chromebook's exact model matters more than most people realize. Whether you're checking for a software update, verifying hardware compatibility, filing a warranty claim, or just trying to download the right drivers or recovery image, the wrong model number sends you down the wrong path. Here's every reliable way to find it.

Why Your Chromebook Model Number Matters

Chromebooks are made by dozens of manufacturers — Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and more — all running Chrome OS. That means "Chromebook" alone tells you almost nothing specific. The model number identifies the exact hardware configuration: screen size, processor generation, RAM ceiling, USB port types, and which Chrome OS versions it can run.

Google also assigns each Chromebook a board name (sometimes called a codename), which is a separate internal identifier used for updates and recovery images. You may encounter both when troubleshooting.

Method 1: Check the Physical Label on the Device 🔍

The fastest starting point is the sticker on the bottom of the Chromebook. Flip it over and look for:

• Model or Model No. — usually an alphanumeric string like CB315-3H or C523NA
• Serial number — longer, unique to your specific unit
• Regulatory markings — FCC ID, CE marks, etc.

On some devices the label is inside the battery compartment instead. If the sticker has worn off or the text is too small to read clearly, the software methods below are more reliable.

Method 2: Use Chrome OS Settings

This is the most practical method for most users and works on any Chromebook running a reasonably current version of Chrome OS.

1. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner to open Quick Settings
2. Select the gear icon to open Settings
3. Scroll to the bottom of the left sidebar and click About ChromeOS
4. Click Additional details

Here you'll find:

The model name shown here is often a marketing name (e.g., "Chromebook 14") rather than the precise hardware model number. For the exact SKU, cross-reference with the physical label or use Method 3.

Method 3: Use the Chromebook's System Page (chrome://system)

For the most detailed hardware information, type the following directly into the Chrome browser address bar:

chrome://system 

This opens a full system information dump. It's dense, but useful. Search the page (Ctrl+F) for:

• chromeos-version — shows the full OS build string
• model-name — the board-level model identifier
• vpd_2.0 — Vital Product Data, which often includes the model and serial number as registered at the factory

This is the method most useful when you need the board name for downloading a Chrome OS recovery image from Google's recovery tool.

Method 4: Check the Chromebook Recovery Utility

If you're preparing a recovery drive or need the exact model identifier Google uses for update purposes:

1. Install the Chromebook Recovery Utility extension in Chrome
2. Open it and click Get started
3. Choose Select a model from a list
4. Find your manufacturer, then browse the model list

The names here match Google's official hardware database, which makes this especially useful for recovery and reinstallation scenarios.

Method 5: Look at the Original Packaging or Purchase Receipt

The retail box always includes the full model number, and it typically matches the format manufacturers use in their support documentation. If you still have it, this is a zero-effort confirmation. Purchase receipts — especially from online retailers — also list the exact SKU, which is often more precise than what appears in Settings.

Understanding the Difference Between Model Name, Model Number, and Board Name

These three identifiers are related but not interchangeable:

• Model name — the marketing label (e.g., Chromebook Spin 514). Useful for searching support pages.
• Model number — the specific hardware SKU (e.g., CP514-2H). Used for warranty claims, parts sourcing, and spec lookups.
• Board name — Google's internal codename (e.g., octopus, coral, grunt). Used for Chrome OS updates and recovery images.

For most everyday questions — "will this accessory work?" or "how much RAM does mine have?" — the model number is what you need. For anything involving Chrome OS recovery or update compatibility, the board name becomes relevant.

What About School or Work-Managed Chromebooks? 🏫

If your Chromebook is enrolled in a school or enterprise domain through Chrome Enterprise or Google Admin, some system pages may be restricted. The physical label method always works regardless of management status. You can also ask your IT administrator — they typically have the full device inventory including model numbers and serial numbers.

The Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best

Not every method surfaces the same level of detail on every device. A few factors change the picture:

• Chrome OS version — older builds may have slightly different Settings layouts
• Manufacturer — some OEMs include richer detail in the chrome://system dump than others
• Device age — very old Chromebooks may have worn or missing labels, and may no longer appear in the Recovery Utility's current model list
• Managed enrollment — restricts access to certain system pages

The combination of the physical label and the chrome://system page covers almost every scenario, but how much detail each one provides depends on your specific device and setup. What you actually need the model number for is often the deciding factor in which identifier matters most.