Build a credit card validation regex

Check whether a string has the shape of a payment-card number.

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ToolCredit Card Regex
Input
Output
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How it works

The pattern accepts digit groups with optional spaces or hyphens and constrains common card lengths; a separate Luhn check can test the checksum. Shape and checksum do not prove an active account.

  • Common 13–19 digit lengths cover major networks.
  • Issuer-specific prefixes are kept out of a brittle static pattern.

Worked example

Visa card number validation pattern
Generate a regex pattern to validate Visa card numbers
Input
											visa
Output
												Credit Card Regex (visa):

^4\d{12}(?:\d{3})?$

Visa: starts with 4, 13 or 16 digits
Prefix: 4

Note: This validates format only, not Luhn checksum.

When to use this

Checkout forms, payment imports, and card-number test fixtures check card shape.

Edge cases

  • Separators must be removed before checksum testing.
  • A valid Luhn number can still be fabricated or expired.
  • Issuer ranges change over time.