Step by step
- 01
Find the RN
Look on the collar tag or care label for 'RN' followed by digits.
- 02
Identify the company
Search the number in the FTC's RN database to see which company it belongs to.
- 03
Cross-check the era
Compare the RN, tag design and country of origin against our tag dating directory for that brand.
What an RN can't tell you
An RN identifies a company, not a year. Companies kept the same RN for decades, so use it together with tag design and stitching.
Red flags
An RN that belongs to a different company than the brand on the tag, or a missing RN on a tag style that normally carries one, deserves a closer look.
What an RN number tells you
An RN is a registration number used on US clothing labels to identify the business responsible for the product. It can help identify who made or sold a shirt.
Limits of RN numbers
An RN does not date a shirt on its own, and fakes can copy real numbers. Use it alongside tag style, stitching and fabric.
Looking one up
Search the RN through the FTC's public RN database, then compare the registered company with the brand on the tag.
FAQ
- Who issues RN numbers?
- The US Federal Trade Commission.
- Can an RN date a shirt exactly?
- No. It narrows the maker; tag design and construction narrow the era.
- Can an RN number date my shirt?
- Not by itself. It identifies a business; combine it with other evidence to estimate age.