Apple first introduced the iPod back in 2001. The original iPod was the "first generation" model. Subsequent versions have been referred to as "second generation" (2G), "third generation" (3G), and so on.
Once memory capacity started being measured in gigabytes — abbreviated "GB" — determining which iPod you had could be confusing. For example, you might have a 4G 20GB iPod, or a 2G 4GB iPod shuffle.
So we created this handy chart to help you identify exactly which iPod you have. Note that not every iteration was considered a new generation. The fourth generation iPod, for example, initially had a black and white screen, then was re-released with a color screen. Both versions are considered 4G iPods. We've also noted some of the major changes for each model in the chart to further help you with identification.
| iPod | Generation | Designation | Key Features | Memory
Capacity | When available
on the market |
 | First | iPod | n/a | 5GB
10GB | October 2001 -
March, 2003 |
| Second | 2G iPod | Touch-sensitive
Navigation wheel,
Expanded memory | 10GB
20GB | June, 2002 -
March, 2003 |
 | Third | Docking
iPod | 30-pin dock connector,
Navigation buttons
Expanded memory | 10GB
15GB
20GB
30GB
40GB | June, 2002 -
March, 2003 |
 | Third | 3G iPod | Click wheel navigation |
20GB
40GB | April, 2003 -
June, 2004 |
 | Fourth | iPod photo | Image display,
Expanded memory | 30GB
40GB
60GB | October, 2004 -
June, 2005 |
 | Fourth | iPod photo | Color screen,
Displays photos | 20GB
60GB | June, 2005 -
September, 2005 |
 | Fifth | 5G iPod | Plays videos,
Larger screen,
Expanded memory,
Available in black or white | 30GB
60GB
80GB | October, 2005 -
September, 2007 |
 | Sixth | iPod classic | Expanded memory,
aluminum casing,
Available in black or silver | 80GB
120GB
160GB | September 2007 -
present |
| iPod mini | Generation | Designation | Key Features | Memory
Capacity | When Available
on the Market |
 | First | iPod mini | Available in silver, gold,
green, blue, pink | 4GB | January, 2004 -
February, 2005 |
 | Second | 2G iPod mini | Expanded memory
Available in silver, gold, pink,
green, blue | 4GB
8GB | February, 2005 -
August, 2006 |
| iPod nano | Generation | Designation | Key Features | Memory
Capacity | When Available
on the Market |
 | First | iPod nano | iAvailable in black or white | 1GB
2GB
4GB | September 2005 -
September 2006 |
 | Second | 2G iPod nano | Aluminum finish,
Available in blue, pink,
silver, green, black | 2GB
4GB
8GB | September 2006 -
September 2007 |
 | Third | 3G iPod nano | Plays videos,
4GB available in silver,
8GB available in silver,
black, light blue,
light green | 4GB
8GB | September 2007 -
September 2008 |
 | Fourth | 4G iPod nano | Curved screen,
FM tuner,
Available in silver, black,
purple, blue, green,
yellow, orange, pink | 8GB
16GB | September 2008 -
September 2009 |
 | Fifth | 5G iPod nano | Expanded screensize,
FM radio, with Live Pause
Camera,
Available in silver, black,
purple, blue, green,
orange, pink | 8GB
16GB | September 2009 -
September 2010 |
 | Sixth | 6G iPod nano | Smaller form,
No video playback,
No speakers,
No camera,
Voice command | 8GB
16GB | September 2010 -
September 2012 |
 | Seventh | 7G iPod nano | Larger screen,
Video playback,
Bluetooth,
FM Radio,
redesigned EarPod heaphones,
redesigned Lightning connector | 16GB | September 2012 -
present |
| iPod shuffle | Generation | Designation | Key Features | Memory
Capacity | When Available
on the Market |
 | First | iPod shuffle | Flash memory | 512MB
1GB | January 2005 -
September 2006 |
 | Second | 2G iPod shuffle | Smaller form,
Expanded memory,
Aluminum casing,
Available in silver, green,
pink, orange, blue | 1GB
2GB | January 2006 -
March, 2009 |
 | Third | 3G iPod shuffle | Taller form,
No navigation wheel,
Available in sliver, black,
blue, green, pink | 2GB
4GB | March 2009 -
September 2010 |
 | Fourth | 4G iPod shuffle | Smaller form,
Navigation wheel,
VoiceOver command,
Available in black, silver,
purple, red, yellow,
green, blue | 2GB | September 2010 -
present |
| iPod touch | Generation | Designation | Key Features | Memory
Capacity | When Available
on the Market |
 | First | iPod touch | Multi-touch screen,
Wi-Fi capability | 8GB
16GB
32GB | September 2007 -
September 2008 |
 | Second | 2G iPod touch | Chrome back,
Built-in speaker | 8GB
16GB
32GB
64GB | September 2008 -
September 2009 |
| Third | 3G iPod touch | Voice Control,
in-line remote earbuds | 32GB
64GB | September 2009 -
September 2010 |
 | Fourth | 4G iPod touch | Front and back cameras,
FaceTime,
Retina display screen,
Available in black or white | 8GB
16GB
32GB
64GB | September 2010 -
September 2012 |
 | Fifth | 5G iPod touch | Expanded screen,
Siri voice command,
3 speakers
(front, right, and bottom),
Aluminum and glass casing,
redesigned EarPod headphones,
redesigned Lightning connector
Available in black, white, blue,
pink, yellow | 16GB
32GB
64GB | September 2012 -
present |
William Gagne from Radcliff
Posted on 1/8/2022
please update chart
Sony Experia from Iowa
Posted on 4/20/2021
What else ya'll doing NOT FUNNY USING GOD IN TECHNOLOGY SPEED OF LIGHT ALMOST DEAD OUT HERE
Joseph Cavola III from Lindenhurst
Posted on 8/16/2020
I have an iPod nano 8gb blue, I bought it and it had music on it, no video on screen and the black spot on the screen, I restored it, now it doesn't show up on iTunes. I have Mojave, the latest iTunes. HELP!
Tricia from Stanfield
Posted on 1/18/2019
A friend gave me her old ipod. I believe it is 1st generation. Will I be able to download iTunes on this or will I have to purchase a newer ipod?
Cam from Aurora
Posted on 11/17/2018
G'dday Ralph! Please keep this updated, I know it's archived, but it's what the people want! You worked really hard on this, and it would be a great article for referencing. Keep it up Dude!
Ralph Graves from Crutchfield
Posted on 11/2/2017
Patrick: Sorry, once an article is archived it doesn't get updated. I did note when the dock connector changed. You can assume that every generation after that uses the same connector (until the next change occurred).
Patrick H
Posted on 11/1/2017
Hi, Ralph - thanks for the handy chart! Any chance talking you into adding a column for (Dock) Connector Type?
Dee love from hayward
Posted on 11/9/2016
How much are the ipod touch 4th generation worth now ?
marcia
Posted on 9/26/2016
my IPOD touch is not recognized by Itunes anymore. I get an error when I plug it in, noting that Itunes does not recognize it. Might be the 1st or 2nd generation IPOD touch. How do I fix this. I don't want to purchase an new IPOD?
Diana from Hueytown, AL
Posted on 5/16/2016
Have an older iPod but not sure if it's a 2nd or 3rd generation. It is 64GB and has a silver back but no camera or radio. Still plays great but battery is about gone. How can I find out which generation?