How to identify your fridge model before buying a water filter

A brand name alone is rarely enough to identify the right water filter, since most manufacturers on this site run more than one filter system across their range. The fridge's full model number narrows that down, and combined with the fitting position you can see with your own eyes, it is normally enough to confirm the reference.

Where the model number is printed

On a rating plate inside the fresh food compartment, usually on the side wall or ceiling.
Behind or underneath the salad drawer or crisper, on some ranges.
On a sticker on the back or side of the fridge body, visible if you pull it away from the wall.
In the paperwork that came with the fridge, or in the manufacturer's own product registration if you registered it.

Brand specific notes

Samsung: how to tell the three systems apart

Look at where the fridge draws water. A visible cartridge behind a door inside the fridge compartment means an internal system, either the DA29-00020B or the older DA29-00003G depending on the housing shape. A canister on the water pipe at the back with no internal filter door at all means the external DA29-10105J system.

Whirlpool and Hotpoint: check the base grille

Both brands fit the SBS002 cartridge in the base grille at the front bottom of the fridge, not inside the fresh food compartment, which is the clearest visual difference from the Samsung and LG systems on this site.

Beko and Blomberg: check the cartridge head shape

The current 4874960100 reference has a long head with two wing type keyways. An older, shorter keyway style exists on earlier models and is a different part, so compare your existing cartridge's head shape before ordering.

If the model number does not match anything on this site

Search the model number in the tool on our homepage first. If nothing comes back, see what to do if your model is not listed rather than guessing from the brand name alone.

Step by step check before you order

Set aside 10 to 15 minutes and treat the check as a record keeping job, not a memory job. Open the fridge door fully, remove any tall bottles that block the side walls, and use a phone torch rather than the kitchen light. The print on a rating label is often only 2 to 3 mm high, and a shadow across one digit can change the result.

Photograph the whole rating label first, then take a second close photograph of the model field. Keep the photo until the new filter is fitted and tested. If you type the number into a search box, copy it exactly, including letters, spaces and slashes. Do not shorten the number to the first group of characters, because many fridge ranges share the same opening characters.

Switch the fridge light on and wipe condensation from the label with a dry cloth.
Take one wide photo that proves where the label was found.
Take one close photo of the model number and one of the serial number, even if the serial number is not used for filter selection.
Check the visible filter position after the label photo, not before, so you do not confuse a replacement cartridge code with the fridge model.
If a filter is already fitted, remove it only if the housing instructions allow it and the water supply can be isolated.

If the existing cartridge has a printed code, record it separately. A cartridge code is useful, but it is not the same thing as the fridge model. If you need help separating the two, use the guide on how to read a fridge filter code.

Equipment, access space and figures to use

You do not need specialist tools, but a few simple items reduce errors. A phone camera, a torch, a dry cloth, a tape measure and a notepad are enough for most checks. If the label is behind a drawer, remove the drawer slowly and put the food on a towel for less than 10 minutes. That is usually long enough to read the label without warming the compartment significantly.

Check item	Useful figure	Why it matters
Clearance behind fridge	About 300 to 500 mm if the rear label must be read	This gives room to see the back without pulling pipes tight.
Label print height	Often about 2 to 3 mm	A close photo is more reliable than reading it at arm length.
Photo distance	About 100 to 200 mm from the label	This usually keeps the image sharp while filling the frame.
Drawer removal time	5 to 10 minutes	This is normally enough time to inspect hidden labels.
Model number length	Commonly 8 to 20 characters	Stopping early can remove the suffix that identifies the variant.

When moving the appliance, do not drag it by the door handles. Pull from the lower cabinet edges if accessible, and stop as soon as the water pipe or power cable becomes tight. If the rear cannot be reached safely, use the internal label or the original paperwork instead.

Frequent mistakes and how to recover

The most common mistake is reading the serial number as the model number. The serial number is usually unique to the appliance, while the model number describes the design. If you see two long strings on the label, photograph both and compare the field names before searching.

Another common mistake is confusing a fridge range name with the model. Names printed on the door, user manual cover or sales receipt may describe a family of appliances. They rarely give enough detail for a water filter choice. If your note contains only a brand and a short range name, go back to the rating label before ordering.

If the label is worn or damaged, try three recovery steps. First, clean only with a dry cloth, because solvents can remove the print. Second, photograph the label from a slight angle with the torch placed to one side, which can reveal faded embossing or contrast. Third, check the appliance paperwork, installation leaflet or product registration email for the full appliance model.

If you have already ordered using the wrong code, do not open sealed packaging until you have compared the fitting position and the printed reference again. An unopened item is easier to check against order details. If the filter has been opened but not fitted, keep every label and cap with it so the reference can still be identified.

Special cases that need extra care

American style fridges with plumbed water often have two useful identifiers: the appliance model and the fitted filter code. Record both. The appliance model tells you which system the fridge was built with, while the cartridge code can show what was last installed. If the two disagree, the visible fitting position should be checked carefully before buying.

Second hand appliances need extra caution. A previous owner may have fitted an inline filter to the water pipe even if the fridge also has an internal filter position. Look for a canister on the supply pipe at the rear or under the sink, then check whether the fridge itself also contains a cartridge. Do not assume that the filter you can see is the only filter in the water path.

Integrated fridges can hide labels behind trim panels or drawers, and access can take longer. Allow 20 to 30 minutes rather than forcing parts. If a panel resists, stop and check the installation manual before pulling. Forcing a drawer runner or plinth clip can cause more trouble than delaying the order.

If the correct filter has been identified, note the installation date on your calendar. Replacement timing is a separate issue from model identification, and it depends on use and time in service. For maintenance planning, see how often to change a fridge water filter, or use the FAQ if the appliance details are still unclear.