Free BIN Checker
What is a BIN number?
A BIN, or Bank Identification Number, is the first 6 to 8 digits of a payment card number. It is also called an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) under ISO/IEC 7812. The BIN identifies who issued the card, which card brand it belongs to, what type of card it is and which country it was issued in. The payments industry has been moving from 6-digit to 8-digit BINs so that more issuers and products can be told apart, which is why this checker accepts both lengths. Use all 8 digits when you have them. For a walkthrough of the different methods, read our guide on how to check BIN numbers.
What a BIN lookup tells you
| Field | What it means | Why it matters for fraud |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | The card network, such as Visa, Mastercard or Amex. | Confirms the card scheme is one you accept and matches what the customer says they are paying with. |
| Type | Whether the card is credit, debit or prepaid. | Lets you apply different checks or limits to different card types. |
| Level | The card category or tier, where one is returned. | Adds context for risk rules and for routing or fee decisions. |
| Issuing bank | The bank or institution that issued the card. | Shows whether the issuer fits the customer's stated country and whether you have seen fraud from it before. |
| Country | The country where the card was issued. | Compare it with the IP address and billing countries. A mismatch is a common signal to review. |
| Prepaid | Whether the card is a prepaid product. | Many merchants set separate rules for prepaid cards. |
How merchants use BIN checks to prevent fraud
- Country mismatch. Compare the BIN country with the IP address country and the billing address. A mismatch is not proof of fraud, but it is worth a closer look.
- Prepaid card rules. Apply limits or extra verification to prepaid cards where your risk policy calls for it.
- Card-testing detection. Card-testing bots try many card numbers in quick succession. Repeated attempts across many cards from one device or IP show up clearly when you look at BIN data alongside device signals.
- Routing and fee optimisation. Knowing the issuer, card type and country helps you route payments and anticipate processing costs.
What a BIN check can't do
A BIN check cannot identify the cardholder, and it cannot confirm that a card is valid, active or funded. It describes the card, not the person using it. Pair it with identity and device checks: see fraud detection and compliance and IP and device intelligence.
BIN Lookup API
The ScreenlyyID BIN Lookup API returns this data programmatically, so you can check cards inside your checkout or onboarding flow. Responses include the card brand, type, category, issuing country, issuer and whether the card is prepaid or commercial. See the BIN Lookup product page and the API documentation.
Illustrative response (values are examples):
{
"BinNumber": "411111",
"CardBrand": "VISA",
"CardCategory": "CLASSIC",
"CardType": "CREDIT",
"Country": "United States",
"CountryCode": "US",
"CurrencyCode": "USD",
"IsCommercial": false,
"IsPrepaid": false,
"Issuer": "Example Bank",
"IssuerWebsite": "https://www.example.com",
"Valid": true
}Frequently asked questions
What does a BIN checker show?
It shows the card brand, card type, card level, issuing bank, issuing country and whether the card is prepaid, based on the first 6 to 8 digits of the card number.
Is this BIN lookup free?
Yes. The checker on this page is free and needs no sign-up, with up to 2 checks per hour. For bulk or automated lookups, use the BIN Lookup API with a free ScreenlyyID account, which includes 40 BIN lookups.
Is it safe to enter a BIN here?
Yes. A BIN is only the first 6 to 8 digits of a card number and cannot be used to make a payment. Never enter a full card number: this tool rejects anything longer than 8 digits before it is sent. Lookups are not stored, and the 2-per-hour limit is counted in memory only.
How accurate is BIN data, and how often is it updated?
Our BIN database is comprehensive and updated weekly. It works with 6, 8 and 10 digit BINs from all countries, so a lookup returns the details held for that BIN.
What's the difference between a BIN and an IIN?
They refer to the same number. IIN (Issuer Identification Number) is the formal name in ISO/IEC 7812, while BIN (Bank Identification Number) is the term most people still use. Both are the leading digits of a card number, now up to 8 digits long.
Can I check BINs in bulk or by API?
Yes. Use the BIN Lookup API for automated or high-volume checks. You can start with a free account, then see the API documentation for integration details.
Stop card fraud at checkout
Add BIN checks to your payment flow and combine them with identity and device signals.