What is an MCC Code?
An MCC (Merchant Category Code) is a 4-digit number used by credit card networks — including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — to classify businesses by type. Standardized under ISO 18245, these codes determine interchange fees, reward categories, and spending limits for every card transaction.
Banks and credit card issuers rely on MCC codes to decide which purchases qualify for bonus rewards. When you swipe your card at a grocery store, the terminal sends the merchant's MCC code to your bank, which then determines if your purchase earns 1x, 3x, or 5x points.
How to Look Up MCC Codes
Looking up MCC codes is straightforward with the right tools. Here are the best methods:
- Use our free MCC search tool — Go to check-mcc.com/mcc and search by merchant name or MCC code number. It returns the category, description, and reward eligibility instantly.
- Search by merchant name — Type the store or business name to see its assigned MCC code. For example, searching "Whole Foods" shows MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores).
- Search by domain — Enter a website URL like "amazon.com" to find its MCC code and see which card rewards apply to online purchases.
MCC Code Ranges Overview
MCC codes are organized into ranges that correspond to broad merchant categories. Below is a comprehensive overview of the major MCC code ranges:
| Range | Category | Example MCC Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 0742–0763 | Agricultural Services | MCC 0742, MCC 0763 |
| 1520–1799 | General Contractors | MCC 1520, MCC 1799 |
| 3000–3299 | Airlines | MCC 3000, MCC 3059, MCC 3210 |
| 3501–3999 | Lodging | MCC 3501, MCC 3504, MCC 3610 |
| 4011–4131 | Transportation | MCC 4011, MCC 4111, MCC 4121 |
| 4411–4789 | Transportation | MCC 4411, MCC 4511, MCC 4784 |
| 4812–4899 | Telecommunications | MCC 4812, MCC 4813, MCC 4899 |
| 4900–4999 | Utilities | MCC 4900, MCC 4922, MCC 4950 |
| 5013–5399 | Retail | MCC 5200, MCC 5300, MCC 5311, MCC 5399 |
| 5400–5499 | Food & Grocery | MCC 5411, MCC 5441, MCC 5499 |
| 5511–5599 | Automotive & Gas | MCC 5541, MCC 5542, MCC 5599 |
| 5611–5735 | Apparel & Electronics | MCC 5611, MCC 5661, MCC 5732 |
| 5811–5814 | Restaurants & Dining | MCC 5812, MCC 5814 |
| 5912–5999 | Drug Stores & Misc | MCC 5912, MCC 5921, MCC 5999 |
| 6010–6529 | Financial Services | MCC 6010, MCC 6011, MCC 6051 |
| 7011–7299 | Services | MCC 7011, MCC 7012, MCC 7230 |
| 7311–7995 | Business & Professional Services | MCC 7311, MCC 7333, MCC 7829 |
| 8011–8999 | Professional Services & Membership | MCC 8011, MCC 8211, MCC 8661 |
How Visa and Mastercard Use MCC Codes
Both Visa and Mastercard use the same base MCC code system standardized by ISO 18245. This means the core 4-digit code for "Grocery Stores" is 5411 on both networks. However, there are important differences:
- Same base codes: Both networks share approximately 500-600 standard MCC codes covering all merchant categories.
- Merchant-specific differences: The same merchant may be assigned different MCC codes by Visa and Mastercard. For example, a large retailer might code as "Department Store" on Visa but "Discount Store" on Mastercard.
- Interchange fees: Visa and Mastercard set different interchange rates for the same MCC code, which affects how much merchants pay to accept cards.
Why MCC Codes Matter for Credit Card Rewards
MCC codes are the backbone of credit card reward programs. Here's why they matter:
- Bonus categories: Credit card issuers use MCC codes to determine which purchases qualify for bonus rewards. A card offering 3x on groceries only triggers when the merchant's MCC code matches the grocery category.
- Spending caps: Many cards cap bonus rewards at a specific dollar amount per year. The cap applies only to purchases with qualifying MCC codes.
- Card selection: Understanding MCC codes helps you choose the right card for your spending habits. If a store you frequent doesn't code as expected, you might be earning only 1x instead of 3x or 5x.
Use our free MCC lookup tool to verify any merchant's MCC code before making a purchase.
Last Updated: May 2026 | This guide reflects current MCC code ranges and credit card reward structures as of May 2026. MCC code assignments may vary by merchant and payment network.