How many digits is the ID number?
As an important identification certificate for Chinese citizens, the ID number has strict standards for its digits and structure. In today's information society, the number of digits and encoding rules for ID numbers have also become one of the focuses of public attention. This article will introduce in detail the number of digits in my country’s ID card number and the meaning behind it, and combine it with the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to present you with an article with a clear structure and rich content.
1. Number of digits in my country’s ID number

my country's current ID card number consists of 18 digits, which is also the standard for the second-generation resident ID card implemented since October 1, 1999. Prior to this, the first generation of resident ID cards used 15-digit coding. The 18-digit ID number not only contains more personal information, but also has higher security.
| ID card type | Number of digits | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|
| First generation resident ID card | 15 people | 1985 |
| Second generation resident ID card | 18 bits | 1999 |
2. Structural analysis of 18-digit ID number
The 18-digit ID number is not a random combination, but compiled in accordance with the national standard GB11643-1999 "Citizen Identity Number". Each part has its own specific meaning:
| digit range | meaning | illustrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 people | Address code | Indicates the administrative division code of the county (city, banner, district) where the citizen’s permanent residence is located |
| 7-14 people | date of birth code | Indicates the year, month and day of the citizen’s birth |
| 15-17 people | sequence code | Indicates the sequence number assigned to people born in the same year, month, and day within the area identified by the same address code. |
| 18 bits | Check code | Calculated based on the first 17 digits and used to check the correctness of the ID number |
3. Analysis of the correlation between hot topics and ID cards on the entire network in the past 10 days
In the past 10 days, hot topics about ID cards across the Internet have mainly focused on the following aspects:
| hot topics | Discussion popularity | Relationship with ID card digits |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic ID card promotion | high | Electronic ID cards use the same 18-bit encoding rules as physical ID cards. |
| Applying for ID card in another place | Middle to high | The authenticity of the 18-digit ID number needs to be verified during the application process. |
| Personal information protection | extremely high | As sensitive information, the 18-digit ID number has become the focus of protection |
| Digital ID pilot | middle | The new generation of digital ID cards will still use the 18-bit encoding system |
4. Frequently Asked Questions about ID Number Digits
In daily life and online discussions, questions about the number of digits in ID numbers mainly focus on the following aspects:
1. Why does the ID number need to be upgraded from 15 digits to 18 digits?
The 15-digit ID card number has insufficient information capacity, cannot reflect the year confusion caused by the turn of the century, and lacks a verification mechanism. The 18-digit ID card number solves these problems and adds a check code, which greatly improves the accuracy and security of the number.
2. What does the X in the 18-digit ID number mean?
The 18th digit check code may be the numbers 0-9 or the letter X. The X here represents the Roman numeral 10, which is the alternative symbol when the check calculation result is 10.
3. Are the identity card numbers of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents also 18 digits?
The residence permit number used by Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents in the mainland uses 18 digits, but the coding rules are different from the mainland resident ID card. The first digit distinguishes different regions.
5. Suggestions on safe use of ID number
In the digital age, the safe use of 18-digit ID numbers is particularly important:
1. Provide your ID number carefully and only show it when necessary.
2. Indicate the purpose when providing copies to prevent misuse.
3. Regularly check the various businesses associated with your ID number
4. If you find that your ID number is leaked, you should report it to the public security agency in a timely manner.
Conclusion
The 18-digit ID card number is an important carrier for the identification of Chinese citizens, and its rigorous structural design reflects the country's scientific management of personal identity information. As the construction of Digital China advances, the application scenarios of ID card numbers will become more extensive, but its 18-digit basic format will remain stable in the long term. Understanding the number of digits in the ID number and its meaning can help us better protect the security of personal information and enjoy the convenience brought by digital life.
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