Retail · Receipt Glossary
Card Last 4
The last 4 digits of the credit/debit card used in a transaction. The only card data that’s safe (and typical) to print on a receipt.
PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance limits what card data merchants can store and display. The card’s last 4 digits and the card type (Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Discover) are the only fields routinely printed on receipts.
You’ll see formats like "VISA ****1234" or "VISA •••• 1234" or "Card: ************1234". Some receipts also show the card type as a 4-letter code: "VS" for Visa, "MC" for Mastercard, "AX" for American Express, "DS" for Discover.
The full PAN (Primary Account Number, the 16 digits) must NEVER be printed in full — doing so is a PCI violation that can result in fines and being banned from card processing.
For receipt design, including the last 4 + card type adds significant authenticity. Without it, the receipt looks unfinished or like a quote.
See this in action
Brands whose receipts demonstrate card last 4.
Related terms
Ready to create a receipt?
Apply this knowledge with our free online receipt maker.
Open the generator