How is a Saudi VAT number structured?

A ZATCA VAT number is 15 digits. It starts with 3 (the GCC country code for Saudi Arabia), followed by a 9-digit entity serial, a Luhn check digit, a 3-digit branch/establishment number, and ends with 3.

Where is the check digit?

The check digit sits at position 11, immediately after the 9-digit entity serial. It is computed with the Luhn (modulus-10) algorithm over the preceding 10 digits, so a transposed digit in the serial breaks the check.

Does a valid format mean the business is VAT-registered?

No. A valid format and check digit confirm the number is internally consistent, not that the business is currently registered with ZATCA. Verify the registrant on the ZATCA portal before reclaiming VAT.

Why must the VAT number appear on invoices?

Saudi e-invoicing (FATOORAH) Phase 2 requires the seller's VAT number on every compliant invoice and embeds it in the QR code. A malformed number can cause an invoice to be rejected.

Is my VAT number sent anywhere?

No. The check runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored, so it is safe to validate supplier numbers.

Saudi Arabia VAT Number Validator

The Saudi VAT registration number is the 15-digit identifier issued by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) to every VAT-registered business. Saudi Arabia introduced VAT in 2018 and raised the standard rate to 15% in 2020. The number is mandatory on compliant invoices under the FATOORAH e-invoicing programme. This free validator checks the structure and the embedded check digit so you can catch a malformed number before it blocks an invoice.

How it works

A ZATCA VAT number has a defined 15-digit structure:

Digit 1 is 3, the GCC country code for Saudi Arabia.
Digits 2 to 10 are the 9-digit entity serial.
Digit 11 is a Luhn check digit computed over the first 10 digits.
Digits 12 to 14 are the branch or establishment number (often 001).
Digit 15 is 3.

The validator confirms the length, the leading and trailing 3, and then runs the Luhn (modulus-10) algorithm over the first 10 digits to verify the check digit at position 11. It shows the structural breakdown and the Luhn result so you can see exactly why a number passed or failed.

Example

For a number like 3 followed by a 9-digit serial, a check digit, 001, and a trailing 3, the tool doubles alternate digits of the first 10, reduces any two-digit products, sums them, and confirms the total is divisible by 10. If the check digit is consistent and both the prefix and suffix are 3, the number is well-formed.

Tips and notes

A failed Luhn check almost always means a digit in the entity serial was mistyped. Re-check the 15 digits against the ZATCA certificate.
A well-formed number is not proof of registration. Use the official ZATCA verification service to confirm the business is an active registrant before reclaiming input VAT.
Everything runs locally in your browser, so it is safe to validate confidential supplier numbers without sending data anywhere.