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The Daily Insight Hub

What do the numbers on a Visa card mean?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 29, 2026

Visa – Digits two through six are the bank number, digits seven through 12 or seven through 15 are the account number and digit 13 or 16 is a check digit. The digits after the bank number up through digit 15 are the account number, and digit 16 is a check digit.

How do I find my credit card account number?

Locating the Account Number on Your Card. Find the number located on the front of your card. Your credit card number should be either printed or embossed in raised numbers across the front of your card. This is usually a 16-digit number, although it may be anywhere from 12 to 19 digits.

How can you tell a credit card type by its number?

Identify a bank card’s credit company by looking at the first number. Cards that start with a “3” are American Express. Those that start with “4” are Visa credit and debit cards, those that start with “5” are MasterCard credit and debit cards, and those that start with “6” are Discover credit cards.

What do the digits mean on a Visa card?

A check digit is essentially used for verification and is yielded from and paired with the algorithm that produces the other card numbers. Visa – Digits two through six make up the bank number, digits seven through 12 or seven through 15 (in some cases) represent the account number, and digit 13 or 16 is a check digit.

Where do you find the Visa card number?

The Visa card number is a 16-digit code printed on either the front or the back of your credit card. The first digit (4) indicates that the card is a Visa. Then, the first six digits of the card indicate the issuing bank and the type of card. Visa cards come with numerous benefits: added security, perks, and cash back/points.

What do the numbers mean on a credit card?

Here’s how to decode credit card numbers: Let’s say your credit card number is 4385822056110982. The first digit, in this case a “4,” signifies the system being used. 3 – travel/entertainment cards. In this case, different issuers can be identified by the second number on the credit card.

What do the numbers mean on an American Express card?

That information, referred to as the structure, is determined by the system being used. American Express – Digits three and four are type and currency, digits five through 11 represent the account number, digits 12 through 14 make up the card number within the account, and digit 15 is a check digit.