Why did BINs move from six to eight digits?
BINs moved from six to eight digits because six-digit ranges were running out. The 2017 edition of ISO/IEC 7812-1 set the issuer identification number at eight digits, and Mastercard began assigning eight-digit BINs in April 2022. PSPs had to update BIN tables, routing logic and storage rules.
In detail
BINs moved from six to eight digits because six-digit ranges were running out. More issuers, more card products and new programs such as fintech and commercial cards needed more prefixes than six digits could offer.
What changed and when?
- 2017: the new edition of ISO/IEC 7812-1 set the issuer identification number at eight digits.
- April 2022: Mastercard began assigning eight-digit BINs to issuers, and the industry had to be ready to process them.
What it means for PSPs
Systems built for six digits can now mix two issuers that share the same first six digits. PSPs and PayFacs had to update BIN tables, routing rules, fraud rules and databases. Storage rules also moved: some brands allow the first eight and any other four digits in truncated form, while “first six, last four” remains the common display format.
For practical guidance, read why BIN configuration needs a second look and the full What Is a BIN? episode.