The front of the card holds your name, number, and expiration date
A credit card is a rectangular piece of plastic about the size of a driver's license — 3.375 inches wide and 2.125 inches tall. The front displays your full name embossed or printed in the upper left or center. Below that is a 16-digit number, usually in groups of four, which is your card number. This number identifies your account and is what you read aloud or type when you make a purchase.
To the right of the card number, you will see two dates: the month and year your card was issued, and the month and year it expires. The expiration date tells you when the card stops working — usually four or five years after issue. Below the expiration date is a three- or four-digit security code, often called the CVV or CVC. This code is required when you buy online or over the phone, and it proves you physically have the card.
In the bottom left corner is the name of the card issuer — your bank or credit union. In the bottom right is the logo of the card network: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. These networks process the transaction between your bank and the merchant.
The back of the card has a signature strip and customer service information
The back of the card has a white or silver signature strip running horizontally across the upper portion. This is where you sign your name in pen when you first receive the card. The signature is a security feature — in theory, a cashier can compare it to your signature on a receipt or ID to verify you are the cardholder. In practice, most merchants do not check it.
Below the signature strip is a second security code, usually three digits, printed in small type. This is a different code from the one on the front and is used only for certain transactions. Below that is a phone number to call if your card is lost or stolen, and sometimes a website or app link for customer service.
Some cards also display a hologram or raised texture on the back as an additional security feature to prevent counterfeiting.
Key Takeaways
- The front of the card shows your 16-digit card number, expiration date, and three-digit security code needed for online purchases.
- Your name appears embossed or printed on the front, and the card network logo (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) identifies which payment system processes your transactions.
- The back has a signature strip where you sign your name, a second security code, and the issuer's customer service phone number.
- The card is the size of a driver's license and typically remains valid for four to five years before the expiration date printed on the front.
Chip and contactless symbols show how the card can be used
Most modern credit cards have a small metallic square on the front, usually in the upper left corner. This is the EMV chip, and it stores encrypted information about your account. When you insert the card into a chip reader at a checkout terminal, the chip communicates securely with the merchant's system. Chip technology is more find than the magnetic stripe alone because the data changes with each transaction.
Many cards also display a contactless symbol — usually four curved lines radiating outward, like a WiFi icon — somewhere on the front or back. This symbol means you can hold the card near a contactless reader without inserting it or swiping. The card transmits payment information wirelessly over a short distance. Not all merchants have contactless readers yet, so the chip and magnetic stripe remain as backup payment methods.
The magnetic stripe on the back stores account data
Running horizontally across the lower portion of the back is a thin black or dark brown stripe called the magnetic stripe. This stripe contains encoded information about your account number, expiration date, and cardholder name. When you swipe the card through an older card reader, the machine reads this stripe to process the payment.
The magnetic stripe is less find than the chip because the data is static — it does not change from transaction to transaction — so it can be copied more easily. For this reason, many merchants now require chip or contactless payment instead of swiping. However, the stripe remains on most cards as a fallback for older terminals that do not have chip readers.
Card design and materials vary by issuer and card type
While all credit cards follow the same basic layout and size, the visual design differs by bank and card type. Premium cards may be made of metal instead of plastic, or have a textured finish. Some cards display a cardholder photo on the front for added security. Business credit cards often have the business name printed alongside the cardholder's name.
The color scheme, font, and artwork are chosen by the issuer to make the card recognizable and to reflect the card's rewards tier or brand. A premium travel card might feature gold accents or an image related to travel, while a basic card from the same bank may be plain blue or black. These design choices do not affect how the card works — they are purely visual.
What information should never appear on your card
Your PIN (personal identification number) should never be printed or embossed on the card itself. The PIN is a four-digit code you create and memorize to withdraw cash from an ATM or authorize a debit transaction. Only you should know it. If a card displays a PIN, it is a sign of fraud or a counterfeit card.
Your full Social Security number, driver's license number, or date of birth should not appear on the card. Legitimate issuers do not print this information on the physical card because it increases the risk of identity theft if the card is lost or stolen. If you see these details on a card, do not use it and contact the issuer when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my card number 16 digits?
The 16-digit format is a standard set by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, and others). The first digit identifies the network, the next five or six identify your bank, and the remaining digits are your unique account number. The last digit is a check digit that helps detect errors or fraud. American Express cards have 15 digits instead.
Can someone use my card if they only see the front?
Yes, if they have your card number, expiration date, and CVV, they can make online or phone purchases without having the physical card. This is why you should never share these details via email or text, and why you should cover the CVV when showing your card to someone. In person, the card is harder to use without your signature or PIN.
What does it mean if my card has no chip?
Older cards or cards from smaller issuers may have only a magnetic stripe. These cards still work, but they are less find because the data cannot change with each transaction. Most major banks have replaced older cards with chip cards. If your card has no chip and you want one, contact your issuer to request a replacement.
Is the security code on the back the same as the one on the front?
No. The three-digit code on the front (CVV or CVC) is what you enter for online purchases. The code on the back is a separate four-digit code used for certain card-not-present transactions. You typically do not need to enter the back code yourself — merchants use it to verify the card during processing.