You use your credit card on a regular basis to make purchases. While most people know that the numbers on the card are unique identifiers, most of us have no idea what they actually mean. Credit card numbers aren’t a random assortment of digits. Instead, each number on your card has a specific purpose. Here’s how to read your credit card numbers to unlock their meaning.
About your credit card number
Credit card numbers are unique to every user so that banks and merchants can identify the cardholder. In addition to the credit card number, your card should have an expiration date and a CVV code. CVV codes are “card verification values” of three or four digits. These numbers provide an extra layer of security to reduce fraudulent transactions online or over the phone.
Debit cards and prepaid gift cards also use this number format with each of them having a unique card number, expiration date and CVV code. By having these features, debit cards and prepaid gift cards can make purchases as if they were a credit card.
What your credit card number means
Card issuers typically generate 15- or 16-digit credit card numbers. These numbers are found on either the front or the back of the card, depending on the card issuer and the type of credit card.
Each of these digits has a specific meaning based on the number used and where it is within the card number. The first six to eight digits refer to the payment network and the card issuer, while the remaining digits identify the cardholder.
Credit card numbers identify the following information:
- Payment network. Identifies which network issued the card.
- Industry. Refers to the industry of the card, such as travel, gas, healthcare, banking and others.
- Bank identification number (BIN) or Institution identification number (IIN). This identifies which financial institution issues the credit card.
- Account identifier. The account holder and cardholder, including authorized users and employee cards.
- Checksum. This single-digit number enables computer systems to ensure that the card number is valid.
How to read your credit card number
If you’re wondering what your card numbers say, here’s how to read your credit card number.
- First digit. The first digit identifies the payment network and the card industry. Airlines or financial services (1 or 2), financial or banking (2 through 6), gas industry (7), healthcare and telecommunications (8), government and others (9). Cards from the big four payment networks typically begin with these digits: American Express (3), Visa (4), Mastercard (2 or 5), and Discover (6).
- Next five to seven digits. Combining the first digit with the next five to seven digits forms the bank identification number (BIN) or issuer identification number (IIN). These details are unique to each card issuer.
- Remaining digits. The remaining digits identify the account holder and each cardholder on the account. This includes authorized users and employee cards. Some banks use the same number for primary and authorized users.
- Last number. The final number on your credit card is what’s called the checksum digit. While processing transactions, the checksum number is used in a formula to ensure that the credit card number is valid.
Your Issuer Identification Number (IIN)
The Issuer Identification Number (IIN) is the first six to eight digits of a credit card number. These numbers uniquely identify the card issuer so merchants and payment processing networks know who issued the card. This number is also known as the Bank Identification Number (BIN).
Major credit card networks
Four major credit card networks process credit card transactions. These networks include Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. When merchants sign up to accept credit cards to pay for transactions, they choose which networks to use. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely used payment networks. However, if a merchant accepts credit cards, there’s a 99% chance that they’ll also accept American Express or Discover.
It is wise to have credit cards from multiple payment networks. This way you have alternative options if a merchant doesn’t accept your preferred credit card. For example, if your favorite credit card is the American Express Platinum Card, having a credit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo is a good backup.
Your credit card number vs. your account number
Your credit card number is the complete set of numbers on your card. Typically, the credit card number is 15 or 16 digits long. Your account number is a subset of your credit card number. This number is a unique identifier for the card issuer to distinguish your card from others it has issued.
Protecting your credit card number
Card issuers take several steps to protect your credit card from fraud. The first step is using a checksum digit as the last number of your credit card. During every transaction, this checksum number helps to verify that it is a valid card number using an algorithm.
Credit cards also have an expiration date to limit their use. The expiration date also serves as a card verification tool to reduce fraud.
The CVV code is a three- or four-digit number for online and phone orders. This number is unique to each card and validates that you are the authorized cardholder.
Even with these fraud prevention measures, cardholders should take additional steps to protect their card numbers.
- Only use secure browser windows. When shopping online, make sure the URL begins with “https://”. Without the “s,” your browser session is not secure and hackers can easily steal your information.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN) when connecting to public WiFi. Whether you’re at your hotel, a local coffee shop or the airport, public WiFi can be dangerous. Using a VPN service protects your personal data and browsing history.
- Create virtual card numbers. A virtual card number is a temporary number that can only be used at one merchant. Many virtual card numbers have a one-time use or amount limitation. Even if a hacker steals this number, it is very difficult for them to use it.
- Don’t click on strange links. Hackers try to steal your credit card information by sending fake links that mimic well-known websites. Avoid clicking on unexpected links and type in the website URL manually into your browser when shopping online.
- Turn on account alerts. Many card issuers offer text or email notifications when there’s activity on your credit card account. If you see a transaction you don’t recognize, contact your bank immediately.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Credit card numbers vary based on who is issuing the card. Most credit card numbers are either 15 or 16 digits. However, credit card numbers can be as short as eight digits or as long as 19 digits.
The first four digits are part of the BIN or IIN, a six-digit number that identifies the card issuer. These numbers contain valuable information about a credit card. The first digit of a credit card specifies the card’s payment network and industry.
Yes, it is very simple to determine the type of credit card simply by looking at the card’s number. The first digit of the credit card number tells you if the card is from American Express (3), Visa (4), Mastercard (2 or 5), or Discover (6). Cards that begin with a 7 are gas cards, while 8 is for healthcare and telecommunications and 9 is often used by the government.
