How many numbers do credit cards have?
Jackson Reed
Updated on February 10, 2026
16 digits
A credit card number is the long set of digits displayed across the front or back of your plastic credit card. It is typically 16 digits in length, often appearing in sets of four. Sometimes it can be as long as 19 digits, and it is used to identify both the credit card issuer and the account holder.
Do Amex cards have 15 digits?
All American Express account numbers are embossed and start with “37” or “34”. 2. Check account numbers are embossed (15 digits) with no alterations.
Can you tell the type of credit card by the number?
When accepting credit card numbers over the phone from customers, you can easily identify the type of card without asking the customer. While each credit card has a unique string of numbers, in varying lengths, the first one or two digits will reveal the issuer of the card.
What numbers does MasterCard start with?
If it’s a Visa card, it will always start with a 4, while Mastercards generally start with a 5 — although in 2017 Mastercard started issuing some of its numbers starting with 2….First number.
| First digit | Credit card issuer |
|---|---|
| 2 | Mastercard (2017) |
| 3 | American Express |
| 4 | Visa |
| 5 | Mastercard |
What credit card only has 15 digits?
American Express cards – Begin with a 3, followed by a 4 or a 7 has 15 digits. Discover cards – Begin with a 6 and have 16 digits. Diners Club and Carte Blanche cards – Begin with a 3, followed by a 0, 6, or 8 and have 14 digits.
How many digits are on a credit card?
The rest of the 15 or 16 digits are unique and linked to cardholder’s account number. These last one or two numbers are “check digits.” Check digits are applied to a formula that helps determine if your credit card number is actually valid. With this formula, a computer can quickly determine if any credit card number is valid.
What’s the last number on a credit card?
The other numbers are used to carry various other information. Visa a major credit card issuer uses the digits 2 through 6 to identify the bank. 7 to 12 or 15 are used to identify the account number and the last number is called the check digit.
What does the number 3 mean on a credit card?
The first digit indicates the type of card. For example, digit 3 is American Express, number 4 is VISA and 5 is MasterCard. This is also one of the first lines of defense against fraud – if in the randomly generated card number the first figure does not match the type of card, it will signal that the card is a fake.
How can I find out what my credit card Number is?
You can identify a few things by looking at certain numbers on your card. The first digit of the credit card number tells you the credit card issuer. However, you have to look at the second numbers for American Express and Diner’s Club since they share the same first digit.
