how to know which generation iPad ?

I stole this from Texas Mac Man .... Sorry Tex!

Here's the various iPad model numbers and order numbers. The model numbers are on the back of the iPad

Apple iPad Wi-Fi (Original) 16, 32, 64 GB

The wi-fi only iPad configurations are assigned model number A1219.

MB292LL/A is the order number for the 16 GB configuration. The 32 GB configuration is assigned MB293LL/A and the 64 GB configuration is assigned MB294LL/A.

Apple iPad Wi-Fi/3G/GPS (Original) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi/3G/A-GPS iPad configurations are assigned model number A1337.

MC349LL/A is the order number for the 16 GB configuration. The 32 GB configuration is assigned MC496LL/A and the 64 GB configuration is assigned MC497LL/A.

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 32, 64 GB

The wi-fi only iPad 2 configurations are assigned model number A1395.

MC769LL/A is the original order number for the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB configuration in black is assigned MC770LL/A and the 64 GB configuration in black is assigned MC916LL/A. The original 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are assigned MC979LL/A, MC980LL/A, and MC981LL/A, respectively. On March 7, 2012, Apple discontinued the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations and assigned new order numbers of MC954LL/A and MC989LL/A for the black and white 16 GB configurations, respectively.

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/GSM/GPS AT&T) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi/GSM/GPS iPad 2 configurations are assigned model number A1396.

MC773LL/A is the original order number for the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB configuration in black is assigned MC774LL/A and the 64 GB configuration in black is assigned MC775LL/A. The original 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are assigned MC982LL/A, MC983LL/A, and MC984LL/A, respectively. On March 7, 2012, Apple discontinued the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations and assigned new order numbers of MC957LL/A and MC992LL/A for the black and white 16 GB configurations, respectively.

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/CDMA/GPS Verizon) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi/CDMA/GPS iPad 2 configurations are assigned model number A1397.

MC755LL/A is the original order number for the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB configuration in black is assigned MC763LL/A and the 64 GB configuration in black is assigned MC764LL/A. The original 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are assigned MC985LL/A, MC986LL/A, and MC987LL/A, respectively. On March 7, 2012, Apple discontinued the 32 GB and 64 GB configurations and assigned new order numbers of MC755LL/A and MC985LL/A for the black and white 16 GB configurations, respectively.

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi Only iPad 3 configurations are assigned model number A1416

MC705LL/A refers to the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in black are MC706LL/A and MC707LL/A, respectively. The 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are MD328LL/A, MD329LL/A, and MD330LL/A, respectively.

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi/4G LTE AT&T/GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi/4G LTE AT&T/GPS iPad 3 configurations are assigned model numberA1430

MD366LL/A refers to the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in black are MD367LL/A and MD368LL/A, respectively. The 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are MD369LL/A, MD370LL/A and MD371LL/A, respectively

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi/4G LTE Verizon/GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB

The Wi-Fi/4G LTE Verizon/GPS iPad 3 configurations are assigned model numberA1403

MC733LL/A refers to the 16 GB configuration in black. The 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in black are MC744LL/A and MC756LL/A, respectively. The 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB configurations in white are MD363LL/A, MD364LL/A, and MD365LL/A, respectively.

This is very helpful. 😉 i'm wondering about it as well.

Why is it that they don't indicate it on the iPad or even on the settings????

You can check the model number in the settings ....Settings>General>About>Model. But if you don't know which model number corresponds to which version of iPad - you have to search the Internet using that model number in order to know which model that you have.

Go to Settings > General > About > Model. Then search below for your model (right side of each row)

Apple iPad Pro 9.7-Inch (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 32, 128, 256 GB - MLPX2LL/A

Apple iPad Pro 9.7-Inch (Wi-Fi Only) 32, 128, 256 GB - MLMP2LL/A

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 128, 256 GB - ML3N2LL/A

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (Wi-Fi Only) 32, 128, 256 GB - ML0G2LL/A

Apple iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 64, 128 GB- MK872LL/A

Apple iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 64, 128 GB - MK6K2LL/A*

Apple iPad mini 3 (Wi-Fi/Cellular, China) 16, 64, 128 GB- MGPW2CH/A*

Apple iPad mini 3 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 64, 128 GB - MH3F2LL/A

Apple iPad mini 3 (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 64, 128 GB - MGNV2LL/A

Apple iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 64, 128 GB - MH2V2LL/A

Apple iPad Air 2 (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 64, 128 GB - MGLW2LL/A

Apple iPad mini 2 (Retina/2nd Gen, Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - MF066LL/A

Apple iPad mini 2 (Retina/2nd Gen, Wi-Fi Only)16, 32, 64, 128 GB - ME276LL/A

Apple iPad Air (Wi-Fi/Cellular) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - ME991LL/A

iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - MD785LL/A

Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB - MD534LL/A

Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) 16, 32, 64 - MD534LL/A

Apple iPad mini (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 32, 64 GB - MD528LL/A

Apple iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/Verizon & Sprint/GPS) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - MD522LL/A

Apple iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi/AT&T/GPS) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - MD516LL/A

Apple iPad 4th Gen (Wi-Fi Only) 16, 32, 64, 128 GB - MD510LL/A

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular Verizon/GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC733LL/A

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi/Cellular AT&T/GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB - MD366LL/A

Apple iPad 3rd Gen (Wi-Fi) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC705LL/A

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/CDMA/A-GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC755LL/A

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi/GSM/A-GPS) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC773LL/A

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC769LL/A

Apple iPad Wi-Fi/3G/A-GPS (Original) 16, 32, 64 GB - MC349LL/A

Apple iPad Wi-Fi (Original) 16, 32, 64 GB - MB292LL/A

Thanks for that list. Hopefully the original question was solved in the 4 years since it was posted.