When you make a purchase, the 15 or 16-digit number on the front of your credit card plays a crucial role in authenticating the transaction. This is because credit card numbers are structured so you can identify the payment network, cardholder and more.
The sequence of digits incorporates a validation check, too. These characteristics, along with other security features, mean your credit card isn’t just a source of convenience, but also a powerful form of identification.
How do I read my credit card number?
Credit cards linked to major payment networks like Visa, Mastercard and Discover have card numbers that are 16 digits long. American Express credit cards, on the other hand, have 15 digits.
The first digit is an industry identifier, or Major Industry Identifier (MII). If it’s between numbers two to six, then the card has been issued by a banking or finance organization. This digit also reveals the card’s payment network. For example, cards beginning with “4” are part of the Visa network. A few other MIIs include:
- 1: Airlines
- 2: Airlines and Financial
- 3: Travel and Entertainment (includes Amex)
- 4: Banking and Financial (includes Visa)
- 5: Banking and Financial (includes Mastercard)
- 6: Merchandising and Banking (includes Discover)
- 7: Petroleum
- 8: Healthcare and Communications
- 9: Government
When you combine the industry identifier with the next five digits, you can work out who the card issuer is, as well as the product the card relates to. These are considered the card’s Issuer Identification Number (IIN), or Bank Identification Number (BIN). The seventh to the 15th digit (or 14th for American Express) form a unique sequence to identify the cardholder. Finally, the last digit is known as a “check” digit. This is based on a mathematical formula, and it confirms the validity of the card.
Card issuers by number
The first six digits
- American Express credit card numbers are 15 digits long and begin with the number 3
- Visa credit card numbers are 16 digits long and begin with the number 4
- Mastercard credit card numbers are 16 digits long and most begin with the number 5
- Discover credit card numbers are 16 digits long and begin with the number 6
The next five digits
- Visa uses numbers 2 through 6
- Mastercard uses numbers 2 and 3, or 2 through 4, 5, or 6
- American Express uses numbers 3 and 4
Is my credit card account number the same as my card number?
Your credit card account number forms part of your card number, but the two are not the same; a credit card account number is shorter and unique to you.
How does a credit card account number work?
Your account number is a set of numbers up to 12 digits long that identifies you as the owner of the credit card account. It’s assigned by the financial institution issuing the card.
The account number on the card begins with the seventh digit and ends on the second to last digit. So, to find a Discover account number you would look at the long number on the front of your card and cross out the first six digits, as well as the last one.
While your credit card number may change if your card is lost or stolen, your account number stays the same. Also, for American Express customers, a card issued to an additional cardholder will have different card numbers than the main cardholder, even though both cards are linked to the same account.
What is a credit card security code?
A credit card security code is often called the CVV, which stands for Card Verification Value.
Requiring a CVV when making purchases helps verify the credit card is in your possession. This extra barrier against fraud is necessary because unlike in-person transactions, you can’t be asked to produce a valid ID or to enter your card’s PIN when shopping remotely.
A CVV can be a three or four-digit number. For Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards, you’ll find the three-digit CVV code on the back of your card. The security code for American Express cards is located on the front and is four-digits long.
Different payment networks call the CVV different names. It’s referred to as “CVV2” for Visa and “CVC” or “CVC2” for Mastercard. Discover calls it “CVD” or “CID,” and American Express uses the term “CID” or “CSC.”
What’s special about CVV is that retailers are not allowed to store them. So, even if hackers get a hold of your credit card number in a data breach, they won’t be able to use it for Internet or telephone purchases.
Why do credit cards expire?
Having to type in the expiration date of your credit card adds a further layer of protection against fraud. Criminals will not be able to take advantage of a stolen credit card number without its expiration details.
Credit cards suffer wear and tear from frequent use, too, so getting a new card every few years ensures you’ve got a card that works well and has the latest security features.
FAQs
The first digit is an industry identifier, or Major Industry Identifier (MII). If it's between numbers two to six, then the card has been issued by a banking or finance organization. This digit also reveals the card's payment network. For example, cards beginning with “4” are part of the Visa network.
What do the 16 digits on a credit card mean? ›
Most credit cards have 15 or 16 digits displayed across the front, depending on the issuer. The first 6 digits indicate the issuer number, the next five refer to the specific issuing bank, and the final six equal the user's account number.
What card number is 4111 1111 1111 1111 CVV? ›
What credit card should we be testing with? Only pre-approved 'test card' numbers provided by Windcave can be used for testing, within test environments. We recommend using the test card 4111 1111 1111 1111 for Visa, 5431 1111 1111 1111 for MasterCard, 3711 1111 1111 114 for Amex, and 3600 0000 0000 08 for Diners.
What do the first four digits of a credit card mean? ›
The first four digits of a Visa card are part of the IIN (Issuer Identification Number) or BIN (Bank Identification Number). Visa card numbers always start with 4, and the next five digits tell which credit card company, bank, or credit union issued the card.
Do all Amex cards start with 37? ›
All American Express account numbers are embossed and start with “37” or “34”.
Is it okay to give your 16-digit credit card number? ›
What card data can I share and when? Sharing your cardholder name and card number does not pose a security concern, since this information alone cannot be used to carry out card transactions. If you wish to receive money using a card-to-card money transfer service, it is generally safe to share your card number.
What type of credit card is 5466? ›
Credit cards starting with 5466 belong to the MasterCard network. MasterCard uses this series for a variety of card types, offering benefits such as global acceptance, enhanced security measures, and access to exclusive deals and promotional offers.
What credit card starts with 4400? ›
Yes, Visa cards can start with the number sequence "4400." However, please note that the first 4 digits of a Visa card number are known as the "Bank Identification Number" (BIN), and the BIN can vary depending on the bank that issued the card.
What type of card is 6011? ›
Credit Card Number (Discover) is a 16-digit number beginning with 6011, 644–649 or 65 and might have dashes (hyphens) or spaces as separators. For example, NNNN-NNNN-NNNN-NNNN or NNNN NNNN NNNN NNNN.
What is a random CVV number? ›
As it turns out, CVVs are not random three- or four-digit numbers. Rather, banks generate them using four pieces of information: primary account number, four-digit expiration date, a pair of DES (Data Encryption Standard) keys and a three-digit service code. For obvious reasons, the precise algorithms used are unknown.
The Card Verification Value (CVV) is a series of three or four digits usually found on the back of the credit card. It represents another validation process and thus adds a level of protection. Some credit card issuers call it the Card Verification Code (CVC). Its purpose is the same regardless of its name.
What is the card number 4147? ›
The Visa Card
Visa Card numbers start with 4147. These four digits of a visa card are the same for credit cards and debit cards. The first number of the Visa card will always begin with a 4. The next 3 could vary but the 4 is its Major Industry Identifier (MII).
What if someone knows my debit card number and CVV number? ›
A fraudster can steal money from you with just your debit card number and CVV. In many cases, that's all the information they need to enter at checkout to make payments online. Any deduction from your bank account, whether a purchase or cash withdrawal, is money you lose.
What card starts with 6522? ›
The IIN range for each of the three major networks: Visa has an INN range of 4. Mastercard has 2221-2720 or 51-55. RuPay has a range of 60, 6521, 6522.
Which is the easiest Amex card to get? ›
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and the American Express Cash Magnet® Card are two of the easiest Amex cards to get approved for because they only require good credit. While the best American Express credit cards aren't that easy to obtain, there are several credit cards from other...
What is the JCB card number? ›
All JCB card numbers start with 352800–358999 and are 16 digits.
What is the meaning of 16-digit debit card number? ›
The first part that stands out is the 16-digit number on the front of your card. This is your Debit card Number. This unique number identifies your card and comprises two main parts. The first part (digits 1 to 6) is the Issuer Identification Number or the Bank Identification Number.
What credit card has 16 digits? ›
Credit cards in the Visa, Mastercard and Discover payment networks feature 16 digits, while those in the American Express network have just 15. While all the numbers on your credit card can appear to be random, there's actual meaning behind them.
What is the 16-digit code on a card? ›
Your 16-digit card number is usually printed on the front of your debit card. It is a long number that can be found embossed or printed on the card, usually in the middle. You can also find your card number on your bank account statements or transaction history if you have access to those documents online.
What are the 16 numbers on a card called? ›
On the front face of debit card, a 16 digits' code is written. It is also known as a Permanent Account Number or PAN. First 6 digits are the Bank Identification Number and the rest 10 digits are a Unique Account Number of the card holder.
