Is WD-40 Made in USA?
Last checked Oct 16, 2026 · 1 verified product · see the evidence
Partially — Some Products Made in USA
WD-40's core product lines are made in the USA in San Diego, CA, but the brand has known exceptions where some products are manufactured overseas. Look for explicit "Made in USA" labeling on individual items.
American Score
Average American Score across 1 verified product — scores ≥70% are shown on this site.
Manufacturing Details
- Made in
- San Diego, CA
- Headquarters
- San Diego, CA
- Location detail
- Specific city confirmed
- History
- Long-established (50+ years)
- Founded
- 1953
How we verified WD-40
Most recent check: Oct 16, 2026
From the brand's website
“In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company”
wd40.com · checked Oct 10, 2026
Amazon listings
We read the live Amazon listing for 1 of the 1 WD-40 product on this page (most recently Oct 16, 2026). None of them states where the product is made, so these products rely on the brand-level evidence above.
Company history
“In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company”
wd40.com · checked Oct 10, 2026
These checks are run by our software on a schedule: brand websites are re-read about every three weeks, Amazon listings weekly, and news is scanned monthly. Every flag is checked against its original source before anything on this page changes. How the American Score works.
About WD-40
WD-40 has been formulated in San Diego, California since 1953, when Norm Larsen developed the water-displacing formula for the aerospace industry, creating the most recognized household lubricant in American manufacturing history.
Heritage & History
WD-40 was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, a chemist at the Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego, California. Larsen was working on a formula to displace water and prevent rust on Atlas missile components — the WD stands for Water Displacement, and 40 was the number of attempts before the formula succeeded. The product proved so effective that Convair aerospace engineers began smuggling cans out of the plant for personal use, leading Rocket Chemical to market it to consumers in 1958.
The WD-40 Company has been headquartered in San Diego since its founding, and the formula has remained in San Diego production for over 70 years. The original formulation — a trade secret never patented to prevent disclosure — has been refined but not fundamentally changed. This continuity of place and formula is unusual in consumer products.
Made in San Diego, California
WD-40 is formulated and filled at the San Diego production facility. The formula is a trade secret, but its documented performance characteristics — water displacement, rust prevention, lubrication, and penetration of seized fasteners — have been consistent across production batches for seven decades. This consistency is the result of maintaining production at the original San Diego facility with the same quality control standards that defined the aerospace-grade product.
The WD-40 Specialist line extends the brand into purpose-specific products: a PTFE dry lubricant, a penetrating catalyst, and a rust-removing soak. These products are also formulated in San Diego, representing the company's investment in developing more targeted chemistries for specific applications rather than relying solely on the original multi-use formula.
American-Made WD-40 Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WD-40 made in the USA?
WD-40 is partially made in the United States. Core product lines are American-made in San Diego, CA, but some products have known exceptions. WD-40 Company has formulated and manufactured its flagship multi-use product in San Diego, California since 1953. Formula developed by Norm Larsen in 1953. Made in USA claim on core product lines. WD-40 Specialist series and original multi-use product manufactured in San Diego. Iconic American industrial product.
Where is WD-40 made?
WD-40 is made in San Diego, CA. The company is headquartered in San Diego, CA.
Which WD-40 products are made in the USA?
We carry 1 verified American-made WD-40 product across Automotive. Every listing links directly to a trusted online store with verified manufacturing evidence.