What do Visa cards start with?

A credit card account number is up to 12 digits long and is part of your credit card number. The length of a credit card account number depends on the card issuer: American Express account numbers are 8 digits, for example, while many other card issuers have 9-digit account numbers. A credit card account number is similar to a checking account number, though most people will use their checking account number far more.... read full answer

How to find a credit card account number

You won’t find your credit card account number on your card statement, and usually it can’t be found in your online credit card account details, either. This is for security purposes. But if your credit card number is printed on your card, your account number is, too.

The first 6 digits of your credit card number represent the industry of your credit card and the card issuer. The last digit of your card number is used to verify your card info. The credit card account number begins at the seventh digit and ends on the second-to-last digit.

For example, if your credit card number is 16 digits long, your credit card account number would be the capitalized, bolded digits below:

aaaa-aaAA-AAAA-AAAa

While it’s good to know how to find a credit card account number - and good to know what your credit card number means - you may never need to use your credit card account number. Some card issuers may require a credit card account number when initiating a balance transfer. But most transactions will use the full credit card number, often along with the expiration date and security code, rather than just the account number.