Credit card issuers assign a 15- or 16-digit number to each card, But what do those numbers mean? We’ll dive into the details. Credit card numbers have a specific purpose.

Thankfully, you don’t have to memorize your credit card number. But like all of these big numbers, ... Credit Card Numbers: What Do They Mean? Audited & Verified: Apr 21, 2025, 8:12am ...

Your credit card is more than just the 16 digits you use for transactions. Each symbol and number on your card serves a purpose, whether for fraud protection or simplifying transactions.

Credit card numbers are either 15 or 16 digits, with each digit having its own meaning and purpose. Keeping your credit card number safe can prevent fraudulent purchases and the stress they can cause.

On a 16-digit credit card, the first six numbers identify the card issuer. The next nine are the account number, similar to a checking-account number. The last digit is the only one that is random.

Your credit card number usually consists of 15 or 16 digits, depending on the issuer. Every number of your credit card account conveys information, such as the industry, routing information for ...

Julia Kagan is a financial/consumer journalist and former senior editor, personal finance, of Investopedia. Chip Stapleton is a Series 7 and Series 66 license holder, CFA Level 1 exam holder, and ...

When you use your credit card like a debit card, you don’t have to worry about rising APRs. No late fees Using your credit card like a debit card can prevent you from facing late payment ...

Credit card issuers can close your account due to what's known as "inactivity," meaning you haven’t used the card in a certain amount of time — let's say a year or more — and the issuer now ...

If you carry credit card debt, chances are that your monthly payments have been on the rise. The Federal Reserve just hiked its federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point, which puts ...

Canceling a credit card can hurt your credit scores, but that doesn't mean you have to leave a card open forever. There are good reasons to cancel, too.

Now that you understand the history behind credit cards, here’s what all the numbers mean on both the front and the back of credit cards. The front of a credit card ...