AVS and CVV Result Code Lookup
Every authorisation attempt comes back with an AVS code and a CVV code. This reference lists what each letter and digit means so you can tell a genuine failure from a mismatch.
| Code | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
| B | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
| C | Postal code and address line 1 both match | No action, strongest match |
| D | Postal code and address line 1 both match | No action, strongest match |
| E | Not allowed for MOTO | Submit with full address and CVV |
| F | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
| G | Global unavailable | Retry, or use another verification method |
| I | International unavailable | Retry later |
| M | Postal code and address line 1 both match | No action, strongest match |
| N | Neither postal code nor address line 1 match | Check both address fields |
| P | Postal code matches, address line 1 unavailable | Ask for the street address |
| R | Retry, system unavailable | Retry the request |
| S | Service not supported | Contact your acquirer |
| U | Unavailable | Retry the request |
| W | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
| X | Postal code and address line 1 both match | No action, strongest match |
| Y | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
| Z | Postal code matches, address line 1 does not | Check the street spelling |
CVV checks return a smaller set: a match, a mismatch, a failure, or not processed. A mismatch usually means the code was mistyped. A failure means the issuer could not evaluate it.
How this tool works
AVS compares the billing address the cardholder gave the merchant against the address on file at the issuer, and returns a single-letter code describing the degree of match. The codes are not standard across brands, which is why the same letter can mean different things on different networks. CVV is simpler: the security code is compared against the issuer record and the response is a match, mismatch, failure or not processed. Together they separate a genuine fraud attempt from a customer who simply moved house or typed their postcode badly.
When to use it
- Decide whether to step up authentication on a failed transaction
- Explain a decline to a customer accurately
- Tune fraud rules using code-level data
- Set retry logic that avoids hopeless retries
Frequently asked questions
Which AVS code is the strongest?
C, D, M and X indicate both the postal code and address line 1 matched.
Does a non-matching AVS mean fraud?
No. A large share of legitimate customers have moved or mistype their address.
What is the difference between a CVV mismatch and a failure?
A mismatch means the codes differ. A failure means the issuer could not evaluate the code at all.
Is AVV available on every network?
No. Availability and the exact code set vary by brand and by region.