Your Credit Card Number: Where to Find It
Learn exactly where to find your credit card number and other essential security details, whether on your physical card or in digital formats.
A credit card number is a unique set of digits that identifies your account and the issuing bank. This number enables secure processing of payments, whether you are shopping online or making an in-person purchase. Understanding where to locate this number and other related security details on your card is important for managing your finances.
Identifying the Main Number on Your Card
The main credit card number, also known as the Primary Account Number (PAN), is found on the front of your physical card. This sequence consists of 13 to 19 digits, commonly appearing in groups of four for readability. The numbers may be embossed in raised lettering or printed flat on the card surface.
Most Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards feature 16 digits, while American Express cards have 15 digits. The first digit indicates the card network; for instance, Visa numbers start with a ‘4’, Mastercard with a ‘5’, and American Express with a ‘3’. The initial digits also identify the issuing bank, followed by numbers specific to your individual account, with the final digit serving as a check to validate the entire sequence.
Locating Other Key Security Features
Beyond the main card number, several other security features are present on your credit card. The expiration date, formatted as a two-digit month and two-digit year (MM/YY), indicates when the card will no longer be active. This date is found on the front of the card, near the main card number, though some issuers place it on the back.
Another feature is the Card Verification Value (CVV). This security code helps protect against unauthorized purchases and is a three-digit number located on the back of Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards, within or near the signature strip. American Express cards, however, feature a four-digit CVV on the front, positioned above and to the right of the main card number.
Where Your Card Number Appears Digitally
Your credit card number can also be found in various digital formats. When you save a card to an online shopping account, a digital wallet application like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or your banking app, the card details are stored. For security, these platforms mask the full card number, displaying only the last few digits.
However, you can access the complete number within the settings or “manage cards” section of these digital environments. Some banking apps or online portals may also show your full card number within digital statements or dedicated card management sections.