Makita product identifier meaning

All Makita products have an identifier. Sometimes the same tool is sold with different accesoires or a bundle and therefor has a different identifier. Also regional variations like the type of plug can cause a tool that seems the same have a different identifier.

Prefix letter

If an identifier starts with three letters the first letter is often an indicator for the series. For example for drill-drivers there are these prefix letters:

"B" = Previous series, may not be compatible with 4Ah and 5Ah batteries
"D" = New series, compatible with 4Ah and 5Ah batteries

Type letters

Not all products have leading letters, but when they do it usually indicates the tool type. Usually this is two letters, but for older products it is sometimes one letter.

  • BL = Lithium Ion Battery pack
  • DA = Angle Drill
  • DF = Regular drill-driver
  • DP = Handheld drill
  • GA = Angle Grinder, trailing letters:
    • R = Restart protection
    • V = Variable speed
    • C = Constant electronically controlled speed
    • P = Paddle switch
    • K = Carrying case included
  • GB = Bench Grinder
  • FS = Drywall screw driver
  • HP = Hammer drill-driver (looks like a normal drill, not to be confused with HR)
  • HR = Rotary hammer (hammer drill with SDS chuck)
  • HS = Circular saw
  • LS = Mitre saw
  • MLT = Table saw
  • TP = 4-mode driver (Impact driver, drill, hammer drill and screwdriver)
  • TD = Impact driver (standard 1/4" hex)
  • TW = Impact wrench (1/2" square drive)
  • JR = Recipro saw
  • JV = Jig saw

Numbers

There is no clear meaning to the numbers. But if you compare the numbers of products with the same letters the higher numbers usually mean the product has more features or is newer than the product with the same letters and lower numbers.

Sometimes a newer version of the product has the same number as the old model but different letters.

Trailing letters

For cordless tools the trailing letters can indicate the capacity of included battery packs.

"SY" = 1.5Ah battery pack
"RF" = 3.0Ah battery pack
"RM" = 4.0Ah battery pack
"RT" = 5.0Ah battery pack

An additional letter "E" indicates it comes with two batteries battery. E stands for Extra.

"Z" means the tool comes as a body only, meaning no batterry pack, charger, carry case or other accessoiries.