At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.
In this article:
The numbers on your card may look random, but each digit serves a purpose. They help identify your card and ensure payments are processed correctly.
Most credit cards have either 15 or 16 numbers, and each represents specific identifying information necessary to complete a transaction. Here's what those numbers mean and how they work.
What Do All the Numbers on Your Credit Card Mean?
Credit cards in the Visa, Mastercard and Discover payment networks feature 16 digits, while those in the American Express network have just 15. No matter which network your card uses, the number is divided into four parts, and each one provides different information about your card.
First Digit: Card's Payment Network
The first number on your credit card identifies the payment network and the type of company that issued the card. Cards that start with a 4 are on the Visa network, while cards that start with a 6 are on Discover. Cards beginning with a 2 or 5 are Mastercard, and cards that start with a 3 are American Express or Diners Club. The first number can also reveal the kind of company that issued the card, such as a bank or travel company.
Digits 2 Through 6: Issuer Identification Number
The five digits after the network number tell you which card issuer you have and what card product it belongs to. As a group, the first six to eight digits are called the issuer identification number (IIN), or bank identification number (BIN). A bank may have several IINs if it offers a large number of credit cards since each card product is assigned its own code. New card issuers may receive an eight-digit IIN instead of a six-digit one.
Remaining Digits: Account Identifier
The numbers between the IIN and the final digit identify your account. This part of the card number is unique to you. Depending on the card network, it can run up to 12 digits long, which leaves issuers with more than a trillion possible account numbers to assign, according to Discover.
Final Digit: Check Digit
The last digit on your card is called the check digit. Its purpose is to validate the rest of the number. When you enter your card number, payment systems run it through the Luhn algorithm, which checks whether the number follows the correct pattern. Even if only one digit is entered wrong, the check will usually detect the error.
Credit Card Number vs. Account Number
Many people mistakenly believe their credit card number is their account number, but, in fact, the two are different. Your credit card number identifies the specific card in your wallet, while your account number represents the credit account behind it.
Example: If you have more than one card on the same account, each card may have a different card number. If your card is lost or stolen, your issuer can give you a new card number while keeping the same account.You can usually find your account number on your credit card statement or in your online account.
Learn more: How to Read a Credit Card Statement
Other Numbers on Your Credit Card
Your card also features other numbers besides your credit card number, including the CVV code and expiration date.
CVV
Credit cards also have a three- or four-digit security code, usually printed on the back of the card, called a card verification value (CVV). You may see them referred to by other names, including:
- Card verification code (CVC)
- Card validation code 2 (CVC2)
- Card security code (CSC)
- Card identification number (CID)
These numbers provide extra verification for online and phone transactions to help prevent unauthorized transactions. If a hacker gets your credit card number, they may still have trouble making online purchases without the CVV code printed on your card. Also, merchants are generally prohibited from storing CVV codes after a transaction is completed. That helps protect your card information if the retailer experiences a data breach.
CVV codes are three digits on Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards and usually appear on the back of the credit card. American Express cards have a four-digit number typically printed on the front.
Expiration Date
Most credit cards expire after two to five years. This allows issuers to periodically send updated cards with newer security features.
Your account remains active when the expiration date arrives, but the card is no longer functional. Your issuer will typically mail you a new card 30 to 60 days before your current card expires.
Example: The expiration date may be listed on either side of your card in a two-digit month and year format. For example, if your expiration date is 03/30, then your card is set to expire on the last day of March 2030.
Where to Find Your Credit Card Number
Your credit card number likely appears on the back of your card, though some issuers still print it on the front. Some card issuers also show your card numbers in your online account dashboard or mobile app. However, many banks mask most of the numbers on statements and other communications, showing only the last four digits. Discover, for example, says it does not reveal your full credit card number on monthly statements.
You may also notice that newer cards typically print the numbers flat instead of embossing them in raised characters. That's because chip readers and other electronic payment devices have largely replaced the old machines that used those numbers.
Learn more: What Is an EMV Chip?
How to Protect Your Credit Card Number
Now that you know what the numbers on your credit card mean and the security measures your issuer takes to safeguard your transactions, here are some tips for protecting your card number.
- Use a virtual credit card. A virtual credit card gives you a temporary card number to use for online purchases instead of your actual card number. Your card issuer generates the number, which is linked to your account, and you can usually set it up in your online account or app.
- Shop on secure websites. Before making an online purchase, check the website address to make sure it starts with HTTPS and not HTTP. The "S" stands for secure and indicates the site encrypts the information you send to the website.
- Don't click suspicious links. Hackers use phishing, smishing and vishing techniques to try to steal your credit card information. Instead of clicking on potentially fraudulent links you receive via email or text, type the website address into your browser yourself if you need to visit the site.
- Use strong account security. Protect your online credit card account, email account and any websites where your card information is stored with strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA) when available.
- Be careful on public Wi-Fi. Avoid entering your credit card information while connected to public networks whenever possible. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN) to help protect your connection and keep your credit card information more secure.
Learn more: Common Credit Card Scams and How to Avoid Them
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Credit Cards Have Routing Numbers?
No, credit cards don't have routing numbers simply because, unlike bank accounts, they don't need them. With a check or debit transaction, routing numbers help direct money to and from the correct bank account. But when you make a credit card purchase, your card issuer processes the payment through the credit card network.
What Is a Credit Card CVV Number?
A credit card CVV number is a three- or four-digit security code found on your physical card. CVV is short for card verification value, and it's the code merchants check to verify that whoever is entering the card number actually holds the card. It helps prevent fraudulent online and phone purchases.CVVs are sometimes referred to by other names as card networks brand them differently. As such, your card may be labeled as a CVC2, CSC or CID instead.
What Is Credit Card Tokenization?
Credit card tokenization is a security feature that replaces your actual card number with a unique digital code when you make a payment. It's typically used when you tap to pay or use a digital wallet. Because your actual card number isn't shared, your card information is better protected if payment data falls into the wrong hands.
Monitor Your Accounts for Unauthorized Transactions
Your credit card has 15 or 16 numbers arranged in a specific sequence designed to keep transactions safe and accurate. To help keep your account safe, take the steps above to protect your credit card number and your CVV code.
Unfortunately, hackers are relentless and can still access your accounts despite your best efforts to secure them. It's wise to regularly monitor your credit reports and account statements to spot suspicious activity early. Consider identity theft and credit protection from Experian to help your efforts. You'll receive notifications of suspicious activity using your personal information and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage.