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For Titebond wood glue made after January 1, 2019, the lot number on the bottle gives its manufacture date: read the digits after the leading “A” as year, month and day. For older bottles, use Titebond’s pre-2019 format guidance. A date code helps establish age, but it does not by itself determine whether glue is still usable; check the product’s stated shelf life, storage history and condition.
How to decode a current Titebond lot number
Franklin International says Titebond products made after January 1, 2019 use the format Ayymmddbbb. The leading “A” denotes U.S. manufacture; the next two digits are the year, the next two the month, the next two the day, and the final three identify the batch. For example, a code beginning A240315 would indicate manufacture on March 15, 2024; any following three digits are the batch number. See the manufacturer’s lot-number guidance for the applicable format.
Do not apply this pattern to every glue brand or every Titebond bottle. Franklin documents a different code format for products made before 2019, so use its older-product instructions when the bottle predates the change.
What the date code does—and does not—tell you
A manufacture date can help you estimate a bottle’s age, but it is not an automatic discard date. Titebond defines shelf life as a conservative estimate of the minimum period a product is expected to remain usable when stored as directed. The manufacturer says reaching that period alone does not mean the glue is unusable. Its shelf-life explanation provides that qualification.
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- Provide a much stronger bond than the wood itself
- Offer excellent heat-resistance and are very easy to sand
- Are water cleanup while still wet
- Provide strong initial tack and a 30-minute clamp time
- Conform to ASTM D4236 – Non-toxic and safe to use
Titebond’s current FAQ says the stated shelf life for a majority of its wood glues is two years, while noting that some white and yellow products may remain usable longer. Treat this as manufacturer guidance, not a guarantee for every product or storage history; check the specific product’s information and condition. The FAQ is undated; this guidance was accessed October 8, 2026. See Titebond’s shelf-life FAQ.
Check the glue’s condition
Titebond’s guidance distinguishes between products and observable changes. Thick, stringy Titebond Original or orange-gel Titebond II is no longer usable, according to the manufacturer. By contrast, Titebond says Original, II and III may continue to perform as intended if the glue remains fluid and has not undergone a drastic appearance change. Consult the manufacturer’s product-specific guidance if you are unsure.
Rank #2
- Industry Standard Wood Glue: Trusted by professionals and hobbyists alike, Titebond Original provides strong initial tack and fast set time to reduce clamp time and speed up woodworking projects.
- Bonds Stronger than Wood: Advanced aliphatic resin formula creates a permanent, durable bond that exceeds the strength of the wood itself for reliable, long-lasting results.
- Excellent Sandability & Finish Compatibility: Dries to a translucent film that sands smoothly without softening and is unaffected by most stains, paints, and finishes.
- Versatile Applications: Ideal for wood, hardboard, particleboard, leather, cloth, and most other porous materials for furniture, cabinetry, crafts, and repair projects.
- Easy Water Cleanup & Safe to Use: Low-VOC (<0.2 g/L), nonflammable formula cleans easily with water, making it safe for workshop and home use with minimal fumes.
- Identify the exact product rather than relying on a general rule for all wood glue.
- Consider how it was stored; shelf-life guidance assumes storage as directed.
- Look for the product-specific changes the manufacturer identifies, including thick or stringy consistency and drastic appearance changes.
- If the condition is questionable, do not rely on the date code alone to decide whether it is suitable for a project.
Older codes and other brands
Code systems can change. WOOD Magazine’s July 25, 2016 article describes an older Franklin pattern using a year digit followed by a month letter, with “I” skipped. That example predates Titebond’s post-2019 format and should not be used to decode newer products.
The same 2016 article gives an Elmer’s code example, but that historical explanation is not confirmed here as current. For Elmer’s or another brand, check that manufacturer’s current instructions rather than assuming Titebond’s format—or an older example—applies.
Rank #3
- Proven Type I Waterproof Performance: Passes ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance standards, making it ideal for outdoor woodworking, cutting boards, furniture, and projects exposed to weather conditions.
- Superior Strength & Strong Initial Tack: Advanced proprietary polymer formula delivers exceptional bonding power, fast grab, and a durable long-lasting hold on hardwoods, softwoods, and composites.
- Longer Open Assembly Time: Provides extended working time for complex glue-ups, larger assemblies, and precise alignment—perfect for professional woodworkers and DIY builders.
- Works in Lower Temperatures: Formulated for reliable performance in colder conditions with a low 45°F application threshold, ensuring consistent results year-round.
- Easy Water Cleanup & Interior/Exterior Use: Solvent-free, low-VOC, and cleans up with water; sands easily without softening and remains unaffected by finishes for a clean, professional result.
Practical ways to keep track of a bottle
WOOD Magazine’s 2016 article recommends writing the purchase date on masking tape attached to the bottle and storing it out of direct sunlight. Those are practical suggestions from the article, not a substitute for the manufacturer’s storage directions. If you buy glue without a clear production date, recording when you bought it gives you a useful reference point, but it does not establish when it was made.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Industry Standard Wood Glue: Trusted by professionals and hobbyists alike, Titebond Original provides strong initial tack and fast set time to reduce clamp time and speed up woodworking projects.
- Bonds Stronger than Wood: Advanced aliphatic resin formula creates a permanent, durable bond that exceeds the strength of the wood itself for reliable, long-lasting results.
- Excellent Sandability & Finish Compatibility: Dries to a translucent film that sands smoothly without softening and is unaffected by most stains, paints, and finishes.
- Versatile Applications: Ideal for wood, hardboard, particleboard, leather, cloth, and most other porous materials for furniture, cabinetry, crafts, and repair projects.
- Easy Water Cleanup & Safe to Use: Low-VOC (<0.2 g/L), nonflammable formula cleans easily with water, making it safe for workshop and home use with minimal fumes.
Rank #4
- Waterproof formula that cleans up with water
- Superior strength
- Designed for interior and exterior applications
- Unaffected by finishes
- FDA approved for indirect food contact with cutting boards, wooden utensils, and more
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