If you’ve ever struggled to locate the correct time series on FRED, especially during an exam or class project, this guide is for you. Knowing the exact FRED Series ID (e.g., LNS12000000 for total employment 16+) can save you time and reduce confusion.
Below are four quick and reliable ways to find the correct FRED Series ID using either keywords or direct search techniques.
1. Use FRED’s Built-In Search (Smart Keyword Method)
Go to FRED’s homepage and enter a simple keyword in the search bar:
Examples:
median house pricecpi shelteremployment 16 and over
FRED will show you a list of suggested series with their IDs in parentheses.
Example:
- Search:
employment 16 and over - Result:
LNS12000000 - Employment Level: 16 years and over
This is the most user-friendly and intuitive option.
2. Use the FRED Series Directory (Master Spreadsheet)
You can browse a full list of FRED series from this spreadsheet:
📎 FRED Series Directory (All IDs)
Once opened:
- Use
Ctrl+ForCmd+Fto search by keywords likemedian,PCE,unemployment, etc. - Columns include: ID, Title, Frequency, Units, and Source
Example:
- Search:
median - Result:
MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
3. Use Google Smart Search
Just Google your term using this format:
site:fred.stlouisfed.org [your search term]
yaml Copy Edit
Examples:
site:fred.stlouisfed.org median sales price house series idsite:fred.stlouisfed.org employment level 16+
You’ll usually get a direct link to the FRED page with the series ID in the URL or page title.
4. Build Your Own Cheat Sheet (Highly Recommended for Exams)
Make a small table with the most common series you’ll use in macro or finance classes:
| Variable | Series ID | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Total Employment (16+) | LNS12000000 |
Employment Level: 16 years and over |
| Median Sales Price (Houses) | MSPUS |
Median Sales Price of Houses Sold in the U.S. |
| CPI – All Urban Consumers | CPIAUCSL |
Consumer Price Index (All Items) |
| Core PCE | PCEPILFE |
PCE Excluding Food and Energy |
| Real GDP (Chained 2017 $) | GDPC1 |
Real Gross Domestic Product |
| Personal Consumption Expenditures | PCEC96 |
Real Personal Consumption Expenditures |
Keep it printed, saved, or bookmarked.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right FRED series quickly is a skill that saves time and boosts your accuracy during projects and exams. Use one or more of these methods based on your comfort level.
If you’d like, I can also generate a live cheat sheet page for your own use — just let me know!