Get System Serial Number on Linux

A serial number is a unique identifier assigned to a device by its manufacturer. It differentiates one hardware unit from another, even among identical models, and is commonly used for identification and support. Retrieving the system serial number can be helpful in many situations, including asset management, technical support, and warranty verification. For instance, a serial number of the laptop is often required when checking warranty status on the manufacturer official website or when requesting repairs or replacements. This tutorial demonstrates how to get system serial number on Linux.

In this context, the system serial number refers to the identifier assigned to the entire computer (such as a laptop, desktop, or server), rather than to individual components.

Run the following command to obtain the system serial number:

sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

Keep in mind that on custom-built systems or certain virtual machines, the returned value may be missing or contain a generic placeholder such as Default string.