PAN Structure Analyzer
Break a card number (PAN) into its components: BIN (6 digits), account number, and check digit.
How this tool works
This tool takes a card number apart and reports what each part says: the major industry identifier, the issuer identifier, the account number and the check digit, and whether the length is consistent with the brand. It is the same decomposition the PAN structure guide describes, applied to a specific number.
It is the quickest way to understand why a number was rejected. A number with a valid checksum but an impossible length, or a prefix that names a brand whose length rule it breaks, is a number that will be rejected by a strict validator even though the checksum passes. Running the analysis shows which of the two it is.
An analysed number
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Number | 4242424242424242 |
| MII | 4, Visa |
| BIN / IIN | 424242 |
| Account number | 424242424 |
| Check digit | 2 |
| Length | 16, valid for Visa |
The check digit is the last digit and is computed over everything before it, so it is not a field you can read on its own.
When to use it
- Find out why a number was rejected by a validator
- Read the issuer out of a number without a lookup
- Check the length rule for the brand before anything else
- Teach the structure of a card number with a concrete example
Frequently asked questions
What does the analyzer report?
The major industry identifier and the brand it implies, the six digit issuer identifier, the account number, the check digit, and whether the total length is valid for that brand.
Why would a number with a valid checksum still be rejected?
Because the checksum only covers the digits. A number whose length does not match its brand, or whose prefix is unknown, fails other checks that a validator applies.
What is the account number?
The part of the card number the issuer chose to identify the cardholder, between the six digit issuer identifier and the check digit. Its length varies with the brand and with the length of the whole number.
Does the analysis tell me who the cardholder is?
No. It identifies the issuer and the product structure. The cardholder is behind the account, and only the issuer knows.
Can I read a card number that has been photographed?
Yes, the analysis works on any number. It is worth remembering that a photograph of a card is cardholder data and should be handled accordingly.