What Is a BIN Number and How to Read It
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
A BIN is the first six digits of a card. Learn how to read it and what it tells you about the issuer, brand, level and country.
Blog
Articles on payment card topics, tools and terminology. Each article answers a specific question and links to the relevant guide or tool.
How to Check If a Credit Card Is Valid
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
Prefix and length, Luhn checksum, security code format and expiry window — the four checks that matter, and what each one can and cannot prove.
Visa vs Mastercard: BIN Ranges and Differences
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
How Visa and Mastercard BIN ranges differ, acceptance, card levels and which network to support first.
How to Read a Credit Card Number
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
MII, BIN, account number and check digit — the four fields of a PAN, with a worked example.
Card Data Record vs Magnetic Stripe Track Data
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
The key differences between full identity packages and magnetic stripe track data, and which fields each contains.
Non VBV Bins Explained
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
What non-VBV means, why issuer behavior varies by region, and why stale data is the biggest risk.
How Card Validation Works
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
Prefix, Luhn, expiry and security code format — what a structural check proves, and how to read a response code.
Payment Card Glossary: Key Terms Defined
October 20, 2026 · Marcus Hale
Quick reference for BIN, IIN, CVV, CVC, CVV2, 3D Secure, AVS and the other terms used across card operations.