What do my debit card numbers mean?

The numbers imprinted on your debit card are unique and have a very specific meaning for merchants and card processors.

Have you ever taken a moment to look at the various things printed on your debit card? That small piece of plastic can give you access to cash at ATMs, allow you to tap or swipe to pay for purchases in stores and make it easy to conduct transactions online by simply referencing the information imprinted on the card.

But while that string of debit card numbers may seem random, it’s actually a unique code with a very specific meaning. Let’s look at what those 16 digits printed on the front or back of your card can tell you.

• What do my debit card numbers mean?
• How can I find my debit card number?
• What are the other parts of a debit card?

What do my debit card numbers mean?

One important piece of information found on your debit card is the 16-digit debit card number. This is the number that a merchant, credit card company or even a card network will use to identify your specific account, ensuring that your purchases are approved and processed correctly.

To read this string of numbers, you’ll need to break it into two different sections.

The first six digits

Digits one through six of your debit card number make up your card issuer identification number, also known as a bank identification number. These digits tell you (and merchants) which credit card network or banking institution the card belongs to, and where the transaction should be processed through.

The very first digit in the series is called the major industry identifier, or MII. This tells you the industry from which the card was issued. It can be a bank, credit union, credit card network, airline or even the government.

If the debit card can also be used to process transactions through a credit card network, it’ll have a credit card network logo printed in the corner. The four primary credit card networks are Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

Though a debit card may have a credit card network logo on it, that doesn’t mean you can use it as a credit card. Debit cards are typically still tied to a checking or savings account, and the funds will be withdrawn as the transaction is posted.

The last 10 digits

The remaining digits of your debit card are used to personally identify your specific account. But while they reference the checking or savings account to which the card is tied, these numbers aren’t the same as your actual bank account number.

These numbers may change if the card is replaced in the event of loss or theft, but will likely stay the same if it expires or is damaged and you’re sent a new card.

The very last digit

The very last digit of your card number is a check sum, also called the check digit or key. Using a mathematical equation called the Luhn algorithm, this last digit can immediately detect if a card number is valid or not. It is used to immediately catch user errors — such as hitting the 9 instead of the 6 when typing in a card number — as well as certain instances of fraud.

How can I find my debit card number?

Your debit card number may be printed on either the front or the back of your debit card. More often than not, the number is embossed (printed with raised type) on the face of the card.

If you don’t have your card handy, you may be able to log into your bank’s mobile app or mobile wallet to see a digital version of your card.

What are the other parts of a debit card?

Beyond the debit card number, there are a few other debit card details to note. Here are the other pieces of debit card information you’ll likely see.

• Cardholder name — Your debit card will typically have your name printed on the front or back.
• Smart chip/magnetic stripe — In order to swipe a card for purchases, the reverse side of a debit card will include a magnetic strip. This strip encodes your personal information, which is used to process transactions. Most cards today are also chip cards, with a smart chip embedded in the face of the card. This is used to ensure more secure transactions.
• CVV code — Also known as a signature panel code, or SPC, this three-digit number is located in the signature panel box on the back of your card. It’s an added security feature, in conjunction with your card number and expiration date.
• Bank logo — Most banks will print their logo on the face of the card.
• Bank contact information — The reverse side of your card will usually include contact information for your financial institution, such as its mailing address, phone number or website.
• Signature panel — The back side of many debit and credit cards will contain a box for the cardholder to sign. This signature panel is used by merchants to confirm the cardholder’s identity, especially when transactions are processed through a credit card network (rather than by using a PIN, or personal identification number).
• Payment network logo and/or hologram — If your debit card can also be processed through a credit card network (such as Visa or Mastercard), that network’s logo (and often, a security hologram) will be printed in the corner.
• Expiration date — Your debit card will have an expiration date printed, which includes a month and year, usually on the front of the card.

What’s next?

Your debit card number is unique to you and your account, so it’s important to keep this information safe and confidential. If you lose your debit card or believe it may have been stolen, it’s wise to take precautions to protect your money. This might include freezing your debit card or contacting your banking institution to get a new card issued.

The new card may or may not have the same number as the one that was lost, so you may need to contact any merchants currently using your old debit card for automatic payments, bill-pay, memberships and the like.