NSN Lookup

The National Stock Number (also known as a NATO Stock Number) is a thirteen digit code used to identify every standardized material items of supply that is recognized by the United States Department of Defense along with all NATO countries. Shortened as NSN, any part that is listed with this number is classified as “stock listed.” These thirteen numbers include the four digit Federal Supply Classification Group (FSCG) number, as well as the nine digit National Item Identification Number (NIIN). The former refers to the general classification of the item, while the latter refers to the unique code that solely identifies the item. These numbers serve to describe what the part is, if it is stocked, its origin, etc.

NSNs are an expansion from the Federal Stock Number (FSN). The original FSN did not contain the national-origin code that is now included in today’s NSNs and was only used from 1953 to 1974, when it was finally replaced with the National Stock Number. The conversion from FSN to NSN was typically done by injecting 00 between the FSC and the NIIN. In the modern era, NSN parts are often utilized by aviation, military, aeronautical, marine and various other industries.