What Are Mastercard MCC Codes?
Mastercard MCC codes are 4-digit Merchant Category Codes that Mastercard uses to classify merchants. Standardized under ISO 18245, these codes determine interchange fees and which credit card reward categories apply to your purchases.
When you use a Mastercard at a merchant, the transaction includes the merchant's MCC code. Your issuing bank reads this code to determine if the purchase qualifies for bonus rewards, promotional rates, or special financing offers tied to specific spending categories.
Mastercard MCC Code Ranges
Mastercard organizes its MCC codes into ranges corresponding to merchant categories. Below is a summary of the major Mastercard MCC code ranges:
| Range | Category | Example MCC Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 3000–3299 | Airlines | MCC 3000, MCC 3059, MCC 3210 |
| 3501–3999 | Lodging | MCC 3501, MCC 3504, MCC 3610 |
| 4011–4789 | Transportation | MCC 4011, MCC 4411, MCC 4511, MCC 4784 |
| 5013–5399 | Retail | MCC 5200, MCC 5300, MCC 5311, MCC 5399 |
| 5400–5499 | Food & Grocery | MCC 5411, MCC 5441, MCC 5499 |
| 5511–5599 | Gas & Automotive | MCC 5541, MCC 5542, MCC 5599 |
| 5811–5814 | Restaurants & Dining | MCC 5812, MCC 5814 |
| 6010–6529 | Financial Services | MCC 6010, MCC 6011, MCC 6051 |
| 7011–8999 | Professional Services | MCC 7011, MCC 7311, MCC 8011 |
How Mastercard Uses MCC Codes
Mastercard uses MCC codes in several important ways that affect both merchants and cardholders:
- Interchange fees: Mastercard sets different interchange rates based on MCC codes. Merchants in higher-interchange categories pay more to accept Mastercard payments.
- Rewards classification: Credit card issuers use Mastercard MCC codes to determine which purchases earn bonus rewards. A card offering 4x on dining triggers when the merchant MCC is 5812 or 5814.
- Merchant classification: MCC codes help Mastercard categorize merchants for reporting, risk assessment, and compliance purposes.
Common Mastercard MCC Codes for Rewards
These are the most frequently searched Mastercard MCC codes for credit card rewards optimization:
Mastercard vs Visa MCC Codes
While Mastercard and Visa share the same underlying MCC code system, there are key differences that cardholders should understand:
- Same base codes: Both networks use the same ISO 18245 standard MCC codes. The code for "Grocery Stores" is 5411 on both Mastercard and Visa.
- Merchant-specific differences: The same merchant may be assigned a different MCC code by each network. For example, Walmart might code as a "Discount Store" on Mastercard but a "Supermarket" on Visa depending on the payment processor configuration.
- Interchange rates: Mastercard and Visa set different interchange fees for the same MCC code, which can affect merchant acceptance and pricing.
Always verify a merchant's MCC code with our free lookup tool to see exactly how it codes on each network.
Last Updated: May 2026 | This guide reflects current Mastercard MCC codes and credit card reward structures as of May 2026. MCC code assignments may vary by merchant and are subject to change.