What does the letter of the DNI mean? How to calculate the letter of my DNI or NIF

The DNI or National Identity Document, is a document issued by the Ministry of the Interior through the National Police stations and whose objective is identify all people who have Spanish nationality.

Obtaining it is an obligation, both of the Spanish citizens as well as foreign residents. Although it may seem incredible, when the process is carried out for the first time or for some other reason, such as loss or renewal, you just have to follow a few simple steps to get an appointment.

This document is made up of several elements, but one of the ones that raises the most doubts is the DNI letter. Interestingly, many wonder if this letter is random, or if there is some formula to assign it. Well, we will be explaining to you in detail, how the letter is assigned in this important identity document.

What is the DNI letter?

The Letter DNI appears in this document since 1995, just after the identification number. It is not added randomly, but a mathematical formula is followed to see which letter corresponds to each identification number. Once assigned, the letter is forever.

The objective that this letter fulfills is verify that the number that contains the DNI is a correct number, thus proving that it is not a forgery. As we have already explained, the veracity of the DNI is important because it fulfills several functions such as knowing if someone has a criminal record.

How is the DNI letter calculated?

The Royal Decree 1553/2005, of December 23, is the one that collects the calculation algorithm that must be followed to determine which letter corresponds to each DNI number.

To determine which is the letter of a specific DNI number, Divide the number of the National Identity Document by 23. The remainder is replaced by a letter that is determined according to the following values:

• Rest 0 corresponds to the letter T
• Rest 1 corresponds to the letter R
• Rest 2 corresponds to the letter W
• Rest 3 corresponds to the letter A
• Rest 4 corresponds to the letter G
• Rest 5 corresponds to the letter M
• Rest 6 corresponds to the letter Y
• Rest 7 corresponds to the letter F
• Rest 8 corresponds to the letter P
• Rest 9 corresponds to the letter D
• Rest 10 corresponds to the letter X
• Rest 11 corresponds to the letter B
• Rest 12 corresponds to the letter N
• Rest 13 corresponds to the letter J
• Rest 14 corresponds to the letter Z
• Rest 15 corresponds to the letter S
• Rest 16 corresponds to the letter Q
• Rest 17 corresponds to the letter V
• Rest 18 corresponds to the letter H
• Rest 19 corresponds to the letter L
• Rest 20 corresponds to the letter C
• Remainder 21 corresponds to the letter K
• Rest 22 corresponds to the letter E

In the case of the NIE of foreigners residing in Spain, This document consists of a letter that can be X, Y, Z, a total of 7 numbers and a check digit. In this case, to calculate the check digit, X is replaced by 0, Y by 1 and Z by 2, applying the same algorithm as for the DNI.

How to do the calculation online?

Nowadays it is very easy to know the letter of the DNI that corresponds to each number. There are websites like Calculate letter O Letranif in which to enter the Tax Identification Number (NIF) it tells us which is the corresponding letter.

The DNI is a mandatory document. In recent years some changes have been made and now we have the Electronic DNI, with which in addition to identifying ourselves we can do some more procedures by being able to use it as an electronic signature.

Technological advances have allowed the use of a document that allows digital signature with the same validity or with the legal character as if it were done in handwritten form. So the Electronic DNI, has many advantages. In addition, it also performs the function of granting the identification of people in a document, with the only difference that it can be personally or virtually.