Generating your own lot number—also known as a batch number, code number, or lot code—has never been easier! Simply input both your product's manufacture date and expiration date into the lot number generator tool above! (HINT: Vitamins and supplements are generally regarded viable and fully potent for two years.)
A lot number—also known as a batch number, code number, or lot code—is an identifying code that is indicative of both the manufacturing and expiration dates of a product. Lot numbers are common in the manufacturing, food, and supplement industries. Lot numbers are used to track the "origin batch" of a product and are useful for identifying recalled or defective products at the batch-level. The lot number is typically printed in small type and all capital letters. It is usually located on the top, back, or bottom of a product's packaging. Depending on the type of product, lot numbers can often be a legal requirement.
A typical lot number looks like this: G10180720
This lot number is a code that tells us the product's exact date of manufacture and month of expiration.
In this example lot number, G10180720, the product was manufactured on 06/01/2018 and has an expiration date of 07/31/2020. We will use this example to explain how lot numbers are coded.
G10180720
The first character of a lot number is indicative of the month the product was manufactured. It is always a letter between A and L. Each letter corresponds with a month, in alphabetical order, starting with "A" (January) and ending with "L" (December). In this example, the G10180720 tells us that this product was manufactured in July. Please refer to the following table as a quick reference guide:
G10180720
The second character of a lot number is the THIRD digit in the year of manufacture. In this example, the G10180720 tells us that this product was manufactured in a year that has the third digit of "1" (e.g. 06/01/2018).
G10180720
The third and fourth characters of a lot number are indicative of the calendar date of manufacture. In this example, the G-10180720 tells us that this product was manufactured on the calendar date of the 1st (e.g. 06/01/2018).
G10180720
The fifth character of a lot number is the FOURTH digit in the year of manufacture. In this example, the G10180720 tells us that this product was manufactured in a year that has the fourth digit of "8" (e.g. 06/01/2018).
G10180720
The sixth and seventh characters of a lot number are indicative of the month of expiration. In this example, the G10180720 tells us that this product expires in July (e.g. 07/31/2020).
G10180720
The eighth and ninth characters of a lot number are indicative of the year of expiration. In this example, the G10180720 tells us that this product expires in a year that ends in "20" (e.g. 07/31/2020).