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A credit card number is a sequence of digits assigned to individual card members that signals to merchants, issuers and networks that your credit card is a legitimate form of payment. It helps identify your information correctly and securely.
A credit card number is usually 15-16 digits long, but it could be as many as 19 digits or as few as 13 in some cases. Each of these individual credit card numbers has meaning. And understanding the significance of each makes it easier to spot fraud, in addition to giving you an inside look at how credit cards work.
What are credit card numbers and how do they work? A credit card number is the 15- or 16-digit number found on the front or back of a credit card. It identifies several things, including: The credit card network: The four major credit card networks in the U.S. are Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express® and Discover®.
Though most credit card numbers have 16 digits, the length may vary. Of the four major card networks, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover card numbers all have 16 digits, while American Express card numbers have only 15. Here’s what those digits actually mean.
Most often, a credit card number is 16 digits but can be up to 21. The number tends to be embossed on the front or back of your physical card for easy reference. To get your account number, follow these steps:
For example, you might notice that your debit card begins with a different digit than your credit card from the same bank. Taken together, the first six digits are called the issue identifier number, or IIN. In the past, these numbers were called the bank identification number, or BIN.
Credit card numbers are usually made of 16 digits arranged in sets of four. American Express numbers contain 15 digits. Though rare, some credit card companies employ 19 digits.
For a card with 16 digits, which includes Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards: Add together the individual digits that you wrote down. (If you have a two-digit number, combine those two...
A credit card number is a long set of digits displayed across the front or back of your plastic or metal credit card. It’s typically 16 digits in length, often appearing in sets of four, and it’s used to identify both the credit card issuer and the card itself.
Here’s what each section of your credit card number means. The first number on your credit card signifies your type of card. Not type-of-card, like balance transfer or rewards, but rather the card providing company or industry. It’s known as the major industry identifier (MII).