Indian Railways Seat Numbering Pattern — Find Your Berth Easily

Every berth on an Indian train has a number. Knowing the numbering pattern helps you find your berth instantly, understand which berth type you've been allotted, and figure out who your bay-mates are — all before you even board.

Sleeper Class (SL) — 72 Berths

Each bay has 6 berths numbered sequentially. Side berths follow after each group of bays.

Bay Berths Pattern (Repeats Every Bay)

Berth Number	Type
1	Lower Berth
2	Middle Berth
3	Upper Berth
4	Lower Berth
5	Middle Berth
6	Upper Berth
7	Side Lower
8	Side Upper

Then the pattern repeats: 9 (LB), 10 (MB), 11 (UB), 12 (LB), 13 (MB), 14 (UB), 15 (SL), 16 (SU)...

Quick Reference for 72-Berth SL Coach

Lower Berths: 1, 4, 9, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 33, 36, 41, 44, 49, 52, 57, 60 Middle Berths: 2, 5, 10, 13, 18, 21, 26, 29, 34, 37, 42, 45, 50, 53, 58, 61 Upper Berths: 3, 6, 11, 14, 19, 22, 27, 30, 35, 38, 43, 46, 51, 54, 59, 62 Side Lower: 7, 15, 23, 31, 39, 47, 55, 63 Side Upper: 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64

Wait — that only adds up to 64. The remaining berths (65-72) follow the same side berth pattern at the end sections.

Quick Formula

For any berth number N in a standard 8-berths-per-section layout:

• If N mod 8 = 1 or 4 → Lower Berth


• If N mod 8 = 2 or 5 → Middle Berth


• If N mod 8 = 3 or 6 → Upper Berth


• If N mod 8 = 7 → Side Lower


• If N mod 8 = 0 → Side Upper

AC 3 Tier (3A) — 64 Berths

The pattern is similar to Sleeper but with 64 berths instead of 72 (fewer bays in the LHB coach).

The numbering follows the same 8-berth-per-section system:

• Bay: 1(LB), 2(MB), 3(UB), 4(LB), 5(MB), 6(UB)


• Side: 7(SL), 8(SU)

Then 9-16, 17-24, and so on up to 64.

AC 2 Tier (2A) — 46 Berths

No middle berth in 2A. Each bay has 4 berths:

Berth Number	Type
1	Lower Berth
2	Upper Berth
3	Lower Berth
4	Upper Berth
5	Side Lower
6	Side Upper

Pattern repeats: 7(LB), 8(UB), 9(LB), 10(UB), 11(SL), 12(SU)...

Quick Reference for 2A

Lower Berths: 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 21, 25, 27, 31, 33, 37, 39, 43, 45 Upper Berths: 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, 22, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 40, 44, 46 Side Lower: 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35, 41 Side Upper: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42

AC First Class (1A) — 24 Berths

1A has coupes (4-berth enclosed cabins) and cabins (2-berth). Numbering is straightforward:

• Coupes: 1-4 (first coupe), 5-8 (second coupe), etc.


• Within each coupe: odd numbers are lower, even are upper (typically)

How to Use This Information

Before boarding: You check PNR after chart preparation and see "S3/45" — that means Sleeper Coach S3, Berth 45. Using the formula: 45 mod 8 = 5, which is a Middle Berth. Now you know before even reaching the station. On the platform: The chart at the coach door shows all berth numbers and passenger names. Find your number to confirm your berth type and location in the coach. Finding your bay: Bay berths are grouped. If your berth is 25, the other berths in your bay are 25, 26, 27, 28 (and the associated side berths are nearby). Your bay-mates are the passengers in berths 25-28.

Window Berths

If you want a view:

• Side Lower: Always has a window


• Bay Lower (berths 1, 4, 9, 12, etc.): Two per bay, one faces the window


• Side Upper: Window is there but you're sleeping level with it


• Middle and Upper: No direct window

The bay lower berths on the window side (varies by coach configuration) have the best views during daytime sitting.

Checking Your Berth Allocation

After chart preparation, check on indianrail.app:

1. Enter your PNR


2. The result shows your coach and berth number


3. Use the numbering pattern to know your berth type instantly


4. Plan what to carry (extra blanket for upper berth, neck pillow for side berths)

Once you know the numbering pattern, you never have to wonder what berth you got. A quick modular division and you know exactly where you'll be sleeping tonight.