The simplest way to find your credit card account number is to look at your card. The card number contains the account number. However, it's important to note that these sequences of digits are not interchangeable. Your account number is distinct from your card number.
In this article, we'll answer:
- Where is your credit card account number located?
- How do you get your account number from your credit card?
- Is a credit card number the same as the account number?
- Can you find your credit card number without your card?
Where is your credit card account number located?
You can find the account number anywhere you can find your card number. Besides your physical card, you can usually find your card number on billing statements and in your profile online or in your bank's mobile app.
Your credit card account number by itself usually isn't available for you to view. This helps protect your information. For instance, your billing statement may have your credit card number but won't isolate your account number.
How do you get your account number from your credit card?
You can get your credit card numbers in just a few steps. Most often, a credit card number is 16 digits but can be up to 21. The number tends to be embossed on the front or back of your physical card for easy reference. To get your account number, follow these steps:
- The first number identifies the industry and credit card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover).
- The next 5 numbers are known as the bank identification number (BIN) or issuer identification number (IIN). You guessed it: This identifies your credit card's issuer.
- The next 8 to 12 numbers will pinpoint your unique credit card account.
- The final digit of your card number, called a check digit, authenticates your specific card.
All cardholders, including authorized users, are generally connected to the same credit card account. Therefore, the account number is often the same for every cardholder even though the card numbers tend to differ.
Is a credit card account number the same as the card number?
A credit card number may contain the account number, but they aren't the same, nor can they be used interchangeably. While knowing a credit card account number may be helpful, you'll use it very rarely.
Transactions at stores and online, for instance, do not rely on account numbers. Your credit card number is exclusively used to conduct purchases.
Most transactions and bills you'll pay for with your credit card use the full card number, not the account number. Card details like the expiration date and security code might also be required, typically for online purchases. One example of when you might need the actual account number is to submit a balance transfer from one credit card to another.
Can you find your credit card account number without your card?
More often than not, the places that will have your account number will include it as part of the full card number. You may have to take the steps above to isolate your 9-to-12-digit account number. Here's where to look:
- Billing statement: Print or digital copies may have your credit card number. Sign in to your online banking portal or mobile banking app to view a billing statement.
- Digital wallet: When you've linked your credit card to a digital wallet, it may store your card number; if so, you can view it there.
- Web browsers: Many browsers will ask your permission to store a credit card number after you enter it for an online purchase. This way, the browser can autofill the card information for future purchases. If you've previously stored this information, you should be able to access your card number. For your security, storing credit card information within your browser is not recommended.
- Payment services: In some cases, a payment service may have stored your credit card's information. If so, you might be able to view your card number by logging in.
- Customer service: Your credit card company may be happy to provide your credit card account number. When requesting this over the phone, you'll have to verify your identity, likely using personal information and perhaps a recent transaction amount.
Recap
Your credit card account number may be part of your account number, but the two aren't interchangeable. You'll probably use your credit card information far more often than you'll use the account number.
Most account numbers consist of the digits that remain after you remove the first 6 and the final digit from your card number. If you don't have your physical card, you can usually find your card number on your billing statement and digital account portal. Other options include apps, sites or digital wallets that store your credit card information.
