In short
A BIN (bank identification number) is the first 6 to 8 digits of a card number. It tells you which network the card runs on and which bank issued it. A BIN checker reads those digits and shows the public details behind them. It never needs the full card number.
How to use the BIN checker
- Look at the card number and take only the first 6 to 8 digits.
- Type them into the box above and press Check BIN.
- Read the result: network, card type, brand, bank, country and currency.
What each result means
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Card network | The scheme that processes the payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay and others. |
| Card type | Debit, credit or prepaid. Some merchants accept only some types. |
| Brand / level | The product tier, such as Classic, Gold, Platinum or Business. |
| Issuing bank | The bank or institution that issued the card. |
| Country and currency | Where the card was issued and the currency it is billed in. |
| Number length | How many digits a full card number on this BIN has. |
Why the BIN matters when you pay online
When you enter a card at checkout, the merchant reads the BIN before anything else. It decides which network to send the payment through, flags prepaid cards, and checks the issuing country. That is why a card can work on one site and be declined on another: the site may only accept certain card types or countries.
If a service keeps declining your card, checking its BIN is the fastest way to see why. If you need a card that fits a particular service, browse all VCCBuy cards and their BINs, compare them on the pricing page, or request a specific BIN.
Which digits belong to which network
- Visa: starts with 4.
- Mastercard: starts with 51 to 55, or 2221 to 2720.
- American Express: starts with 34 or 37.
- Discover: starts with 6011, 644 to 649, or 65.
- JCB: starts with 3528 to 3589.
- UnionPay: starts with 62.
BIN checker questions
What is a BIN?
BIN stands for bank identification number. It is the first 6 to 8 digits of a payment card number and identifies the card network and the bank that issued the card. It is also called an IIN, issuer identification number.
What does a BIN checker show?
The card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others), whether the card is debit, credit or prepaid, the card brand or level, the issuing bank, the country it was issued in and that country's currency.
Is it safe to enter a BIN here?
Yes. A BIN is not secret and cannot be used to make a payment on its own. This tool only accepts up to 8 digits, never asks for a full card number, expiry date or security code, and does not store what you enter.
Why does a website care about the BIN?
Merchants use the BIN to decide how to process a payment: which network to route it through, whether the card is prepaid, and which country it comes from. Some services only accept cards issued in certain countries or of certain types, which is why one card works and another is declined.
How many digits is a BIN: 6 or 8?
Both exist. BINs were 6 digits for decades. Since 2022 the card networks have been moving to 8-digit BINs so that more issuers can be identified. Enter 6 digits for a general result, or 8 for a more precise one where the data exists.
Why is the bank or country missing for my BIN?
Public BIN databases are built from shared data and are not complete. Newer BINs, small issuers and virtual cards are often missing. The card network is always shown because it follows from the number itself.
Can I get a card with a specific BIN?
VCCBuy lists the BINs available on each card on the cards and pricing pages. If you need one that is not listed, send a BIN request and the team will tell you what is possible.
This tool is for information only. Use it to check your own cards or to understand a payment problem. Bank and country data comes from the public binlist.net database and may be incomplete or out of date.