How an AWB number is built
A standard IATA air waybill is 11 digits, usually printed as NNN-NNNNNNN N:
- 3-digit prefix — identifies the issuing carrier (176 Emirates, 157 Qatar, 020 Lufthansa).
- 7-digit serial — the shipment sequence assigned by that carrier.
- 1 check digit — remainder when the serial is divided by 7 (modulo 7). Valid remainders are 0–6.
Example: serial 1234567 ÷ 7 leaves remainder 5, so 176-12345675 is structurally valid. A last digit of 7, 8, or 9 is never a legal IATA check digit.
A passing check digit does not mean the cargo exists or is in transit. It only means the number was typed in a format airlines accept. Use the track button to open the carrier’s official page.
What this tool does not validate
- FedEx (023), DHL (615), and UPS (406) often use courier tracking numbers that are not 11-digit IATA AWBs. Paste those on the homepage instead.
- House AWBs (HAWB) from freight forwarders may use a different scheme.
- Unknown prefixes still get a check-digit result; look the prefix up in the prefix lookup.
More detail: AWB number format and what is an AWB.