---
title: FRED Series Guide
description: Comprehensive guide to understanding and finding FRED series
icon: 'map'
---
# FRED Series Guide
Navigate FRED's vast collection of economic data series with this comprehensive reference guide.
## Series ID Structure
### Common Patterns
FRED series IDs follow recognizable patterns:
| Pattern | Example | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| Indicator name | GDP, CPI | Simple acronyms |
| Geographic prefix | CAUR, NYUR | State code + indicator |
| Frequency suffix | UNRATEM | M=Monthly, Q=Quarterly |
| Adjustment suffix | GDPC1 | C=Chained, SA implied |
## Major Categories
### National Accounts
GDP and related series:
- **GDP**: Gross Domestic Product
- **GDPC1**: Real GDP
- **GDPDEF**: GDP Deflator
- **PCE**: Personal Consumption
- **GPDI**: Gross Private Investment
- **GCE**: Government Consumption
### Employment
Labor market indicators:
- **UNRATE**: Unemployment Rate (SA)
- **PAYEMS**: Total Nonfarm Payrolls (SA)
- **CIVPART**: Labor Force Participation
- **ICSA**: Initial Jobless Claims
- **JO TS JOL**: Job Openings
### Prices
Inflation measures:
- **CPIAUCSL**: CPI All Items (SA)
- **CPILFESL**: Core CPI (SA)
- **PCEPI**: PCE Price Index
- **PCEPILFE**: Core PCE
- **PPIACO**: Producer Price Index
## Next Steps
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Common Series" icon="star" href="/resources/common-series">
Most popular indicators
</Card>
<Card title="API Reference" icon="book" href="/api-reference/overview">
Search and retrieve data
</Card>
</CardGroup>
