The CVV is on the back of most credit and debit cards, printed near the signature panel. It’s a three-digit number, and you’ll find it at the end of or just after your card number on the back. The main exception is American Express, which prints a four-digit code on the front of the card.
Location by Card Network
Visa, Mastercard, and Discover all place the security code on the back of the card. It sits near the signature strip, typically at the far right end of the card number (or just beside it). The code is three digits on all three networks.
American Express works differently. The four-digit code is printed on the front of the card, usually above and to the right of your main card number. If you’re filling out an online form that only accepts three digits, that’s because the site may not support American Express, or the field may auto-adjust when you enter your card number.
Different Names for the Same Thing
Each card network uses its own branding for the security code, which can be confusing when checkout forms use different labels. Visa calls it a CVV (Card Verification Value). Mastercard uses CVC (Card Verification Code). American Express calls it a CID (Card Identification Number), and Discover uses CID2. They all serve the same purpose: proving you physically have the card when you’re making a purchase online or over the phone. If a website asks for your CVV, CVC, CID, or “security code,” they all mean the same number.
Numberless and Digital Cards
Some newer cards don’t print any numbers on the physical card at all. If you have one of these “numberless” cards, you’ll need to find your CVV through the issuer’s mobile app. The app will show your full card number, expiration date, and security code after you verify your identity with a fingerprint, face scan, or passcode.
Apple Card is a common example. To find the security code on an iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap Apple Card, then tap the card number icon and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. On an iPad, go to Settings, then Wallet & Apple Pay, tap Apple Card, select the Info tab, and tap Card Information. Most other banks with numberless cards follow a similar pattern: open the app, navigate to your card details, and verify your identity to reveal the code.
What the CVV Is For
The CVV exists to reduce fraud on transactions where the merchant can’t see your physical card. When you shop online or place an order by phone, entering the CVV confirms you’re holding the actual card and not just using a stolen card number. The code isn’t stored in the magnetic stripe or embedded in most transaction records, so someone who intercepts your card number from a data breach won’t automatically have your CVV.
For contactless payments and chip transactions at a physical terminal, the card generates a dynamic security code automatically, so you’ll never need to type or read your CVV for in-person purchases. You only need it for manual entry situations: online checkout, phone orders, or manually keying in your card details.