So there’s a whole lot of numbers and they keep growing. Data breaches make issuers replace cards as well. Then there’s debit cards and virtual credit card numbers that use the same format. The formula uses the other 15-digits for the card and allows processors to instantly know whether a number is an actual credit card number, or whether it’s been entered incorrectly due to either error or fraud. The last digit on your credit card is known as the “check digit.” It’s calculated via a formula devised by mathematician Hans Peter Luhn. ![]() The next nine digits on your card are given out to individual users by the issuers, and are unique to your account. They’re assigned to the individual payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), which then distribute them to card issuers (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi etc.). The first digit, along with the five that follow it, are known as the Bank Identification Number, or BIN. ![]() Visas start with a “4” for example, while Amex cards start with a “3.” That allows the merchants to identify who is ultimately responsible for payment of charges. The first digit signifies the network and industry and it’s known as the Major Industry identifier. That’s why all cards are the same size and we don’t see any round credit cards. Besides the numbers, they also set standards for the size and shape of credit cards. ![]() ![]() Credit card numbers guidelines are laid out by the International Organization for Standardization and the American National Standards Institute.
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