The BIN list tool is used to validate credit and debit card transactions by checking the first 4-6 digits of the card number known as the Bank Identification Number (BIN). The tool identifies the issuing institution and provides other security details by searching databases containing over 300,000 BIN records. It determines if a BIN number is valid, the type of card, and helps prevent fraud by identifying suspicious transactions from foreign countries.

1. BIN LIST TOOL
The first six digits of the account number in any credit
card indicate the Bank Identification Numbers (BIN).
These numbers are very important as they must be
verified before any payment would be authorized.
Validating this number involves the use of a BIN list tool
to identify the institution that issued the card and other
secured information.
The BIN checker tool, as I mentioned earlier, is a tool
employed in authenticating the corporality of a bank
identification number from updated databases.
The primary function of this tool is to get the necessary
information needed to validate transactions done with
credit cards. This involves checking the first 4 to 6 digit of
the credit or debit card.
Due to frequent changes and the wide range of records
that it covers – over 300, 000 record at the moment - it is
almost impossible to maintain or read directly from the
BIN list.
Fortunately there is a tool that helps curb this drawback
– the BIN checker tool. We will talk more about this tool
in the next article.

2. How The BIN List Tool Works
It is pretty simple. The aim of the tool is to lookup the
BIN to see if it is a credit, debit prepaid, or charge card.
To use the too, simply enter the first six digit and click on
check. The tool will bring up all the secured information
related to the BIN you entered.
Here is a table showing the card design for BIN range and
length.
Card design for Bank Identification Number
(BIN) Range and Length
Issuing network BIN ranges Active Length
American Express 34, 37 Yes 15
Bankcard 5610, 560221-560225 No 16
China UnionPay 62 Yes 16-19
Diners Club Carte
Blanche
300-305 Yes 14
Diners Club enRoute 2014, 2149 No 15
Diners Club International 36 Yes 14
Diners Club Canada &
USA
54, 55 Yes 16

3. Discover Card 6011, 622126-622925, 644-649, 65 Yes 16
InterPayment 636 Yes 16
InstaPayment 637-639 Yes 16
JCB 3528-3589 Yes 16
Laser 6304, 6706, 6771, 6709 No 16-19
Maestro 50, 56-58, 6 Yes 12-19
MasterCard 2221-2720, 51-55 Yes 16
Solo 6334, 6767 No
16, 18,
19
Switch
564182, 4903, 633110, 4936, 6759, 4911,
4905, 6333
No
19, 18,
16
Visa 4 Yes
13, 16,
19
UATP 1 Yes 15
The BIN List tool also checks for the Major Industry
Identifier, which is the first digit of the credit card
number.
Below is a table showing the Major Industry Identifier
(MII)
Major Industry Identifier
(MII)
Category
0 ISO/TC 68 and other

4. industry assignments
1 Airlines
2 Airlines, financial and other
future industry assignments
3 Travel and entertainment
4 Banking and financial
5 Banking and financial
6 Merchandising and
banking/financial
7 Petroleum and other future
industry assignments
8 Healthcare,
telecommunications, and
other future industry
assignments
9 For assignment by national
standards bodies
Why use the BIN list tool?
 The BIN list tool is useful in determining the card
type by traders. It tells whether it is a credit card,
debit card, prepaid card, or charge card.
 It helps to prevent fraudulent transactions especially
from foreign countries outside US and Canada. The

5. BIN list tool provides users with the opportunity to
monitor suspicious orders.