Where to Find Your Odometer Reading

Your odometer reading is usually displayed on your vehicle’s instrument cluster behind the steering wheel—either as rolling mechanical numbers or a digital readout labeled “ODO.” In many newer cars and some electric vehicles, it can also appear in a multi-function driver display or within an infotainment menu (often under Vehicle Info, Trips, or Software). Service records, inspection receipts, and connected-car apps may also show your latest recorded mileage.

The Basics: What You’re Looking For

An odometer shows the total distance your vehicle has traveled since it was built. It’s different from trip meters (often labeled Trip A/Trip B), which you can reset for individual journeys. Odometers display in miles or kilometers depending on regional settings, and on digital clusters you can usually change units in the vehicle settings.

The Most Common Places to See It on the Vehicle

These are the primary locations where most drivers will find the odometer reading when seated in the driver’s seat or interacting with the vehicle’s display systems.

• Analog instrument cluster: A small rectangular window with rolling numbers, typically at the bottom of the speedometer.
• Digital instrument cluster: A numeric value labeled “ODO” or “Odometer,” often at the lower center of the driver display.
• Multi-function driver display: Accessed via steering-wheel buttons or a stalk to cycle through pages (Info, Trip, Vehicle Settings) until “ODO” appears.
• Electric vehicles and some modern cars: Within the infotainment screen under menus such as Vehicle Info, Trips, or Software; some EVs display odometer details on the central screen rather than in the gauge area.
• Motorcycles and scooters: On the instrument panel near the speedometer/tachometer; use the mode/select button to toggle between ODO and Trip.
• Heavy trucks and commercial vehicles: In the primary gauge cluster; if using digital dashboards, look under Driver Information or Vehicle Status pages.

While locations vary by model, the odometer is nearly always either in the driver’s cluster or a clearly labeled information menu accessible with basic controls.

Step-by-Step: How to Display the Odometer on Modern Cars

Follow these steps if your vehicle uses a digital or multi-function display and the odometer is not immediately visible.

1. Park safely and switch the ignition to ON (or press Start without pressing the brake in keyless cars) to wake the displays.
2. Check the lower area of the speedometer/tachometer cluster for a number labeled “ODO.”
3. Use steering-wheel arrows, an “i/Info” button, or a stalk button to cycle through display pages (Trip A, Trip B, Fuel Economy, etc.) until you see “ODO” or “Odometer.”
4. On vehicles with central touchscreens, open menus like Vehicle Info, Trips, or Software; some EVs place the odometer there.
5. Confirm you’re viewing the total odometer, not a trip meter (trip meters are resettable; the odometer is not).
6. If needed, check settings to switch units between miles and kilometers.
7. Avoid attempting this while driving; it’s easier and safer while stationary.

If you still can’t bring up the odometer after these steps, consult your owner’s manual or the in-car help guide for menu navigation specific to your model.

Other Places Your Odometer Reading May Appear (Documents and Apps)

When you don’t have immediate access to the vehicle—or need a documented reading—these sources often include the most recent recorded mileage.

• Service and maintenance invoices: Shops log mileage at the time of service.
• Inspection or smog check receipts: Official stations record odometer readings.
• Registration, title paperwork, or odometer disclosure statements: Mileage is recorded at sale/transfer in many regions.
• Connected-car apps (e.g., manufacturer apps): Many OEM apps display current or last-synced odometer for compatible vehicles.
• Telematics or insurance apps: Some usage-based insurance and fleet apps show mileage snapshots.
• Vehicle history reports (e.g., Carfax, AutoCheck): Aggregate historical readings from services and inspections (note: not real-time).
• Dealer portals or delivery documentation: New vehicle delivery checklists and photos often note the odometer.

These sources are useful for verification, but keep in mind they may show the mileage as of a specific date rather than the current reading.

Troubleshooting If You Can’t Find It

If the odometer isn’t immediately visible or seems unavailable, these checks typically resolve the issue.

• Display off or asleep: Ensure the ignition is in ACC/ON and the driver display is awake.
• Menu navigation: Use steering-wheel or stalk controls to cycle through all info pages; look for labels like ODO, Vehicle Info, or Trips.
• Central screen placement: Some EVs and newer models show the odometer within a “Vehicle Info,” “Trips,” or “Software” menu on the touchscreen.
• App sync: If your vehicle supports a connected app, open it to see if the odometer is displayed or recently synced.
• Trip vs. odometer confusion: Trip A/B can be reset; the odometer total cannot. Look specifically for “ODO.”
• Units mismatch: If numbers seem off, check whether the car is set to kilometers instead of miles (or vice versa).
• Low or dead battery: A weak 12V system can blank displays; restore power to view the reading.
• Replaced instrument cluster: Replacement clusters may require programming; historical mileage might be documented on service records. Some sales note “TMU” (true mileage unknown) when accurate totals can’t be verified.
• Legal note: Odometer tampering is illegal in many jurisdictions; if readings look suspicious, compare with service records or a vehicle history report.

In most cases, a quick pass through the driver display pages or a check of the infotainment menus reveals the odometer; resort to documentation or apps if the car is unavailable.

Quick Identification Guide by Display Type

Use this visual guide to recognize the odometer across different instrument setups.

• Mechanical digits: A small window with rolling numbers in the gauge cluster—cannot be reset by the driver.
• Digital numeric labeled “ODO”: Typically at the bottom center of the cluster; may share space with trip meters.
• Multi-page driver display: Odometer appears on an Info or Vehicle page accessed via buttons on the wheel or stalk.
• Touchscreen-based EVs/modern cars: Look in Vehicle Info, Trips, or Software menus on the center display.
• Motorcycles/scooters: Toggle “ODO” using the mode/select button on the instrument panel.
• Bicycles with bike computers: Check the device menu for “ODO” or “Total Distance” on the handlebar unit.

Even with varied designs, the odometer is consistently presented as a non-resettable total distance value, often labeled explicitly as “ODO.”

Summary

Your odometer reading is most often found in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, labeled “ODO,” and may also be accessible through a driver information display or an infotainment menu—especially on newer cars and EVs. If the vehicle isn’t handy, check maintenance invoices, inspection receipts, registration paperwork, and connected-car apps for the latest recorded mileage. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual or cycle through the vehicle’s information pages to reveal the total odometer value.

Where is the odometer reading located?

You find the odometer reading on your vehicle’s dashboard, usually located with the speedometer or in the digital instrument cluster. Turn the ignition to the “on” or “accessory” position, and look for the numbers labeled “ODO” or “Mileage” on the screen or mechanical display to see the total distance the car has traveled.
 
Locating the Odometer

1. Check the dashboard: The odometer is part of the instrument cluster, which is directly in front of the driver. 
2. Look for labels: Find the digital display or mechanical counter that shows a series of numbers. 
3. Find “ODO” or “Mileage”: This is the label for the total mileage. 

This video shows how to find the odometer in a Toyota Prius: 52sHow Much Do Rideshare Drivers MakeYouTube · May 15, 2019
Reading the Odometer

• Digital Odometers: These show numbers instantly on a digital screen. 
• Mechanical Odometers: These have rotating digits that advance as the car travels. 

If You Can’t Find It

• Check the owner’s manual: Opens in new tabIf the odometer isn’t immediately visible, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific instructions. 
• Use steering wheel buttons: Opens in new tabSome vehicles require you to use buttons on the steering wheel to toggle through information screens on the digital display to find the odometer reading. 

Which number is the odometer reading?

The number displayed under the mileage is usually the odometer reading. This reading indicates the total distance that the car has traveled throughout its life, showing a cumulative total.

How do I find my current odometer reading?

The odometer is usually found near the speedometer on the vehicle dashboard. In most cars, it’s part of the control panel and is located directly in front of the driver. Hence, as soon as you look at your dashboard, you should quickly find the odometer.

Where can I find an odometer?

dashboard
The odometer usually lives in the vehicle’s dashboard. “Odometer” derives from two Greek words meaning “path” and “measure.” An odometer may be digital or mechanical. Each cog on a mechanical odometer represents a digit.