A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number used by credit card networks to classify businesses based on the type of goods or services they provide. Understanding MCC codes is essential for maximizing credit card rewards and properly categorizing transactions.
How MCC Codes Work
When a merchant sets up credit card processing, they are assigned an MCC that reflects their primary business type. This code is transmitted with every transaction and determines:
- Credit card rewards: Whether a purchase earns bonus points or cashback
- Spending category: How the transaction appears on your statement
- Purchase protection: Eligibility for certain card benefits
- Tax categorization: How businesses classify expenses
MCC Code Structure
MCCs are four-digit numbers ranging from 0001 to 9999. They are grouped into broad categories:
- 0001-1499: Agricultural, Horticultural Services
- 1500-2999: Contracted Services
- 3000-3999: Airlines and Car Rentals
- 4000-4999: Transportation and Utilities
- 5000-5999: Retail Stores
- 6000-7299: Service Providers
- 7300-7999: Business Services
- 8000-8999: Professional Services
- 9000-9999: Government Services
Common MCC Codes You Should Know
Here are some of the most frequently encountered MCC codes:
Why MCC Codes Matter for Credit Cards
Credit card issuers use MCC codes to determine which purchases qualify for bonus rewards. For example, a card offering "3% back on dining" will check if the transaction's MCC falls within restaurant categories (typically 5812, 5813, 5814).
This is why the same purchase might earn different rewards depending on how the merchant is classified—not what you actually bought.
How to Find a Merchant's MCC Code
There are several ways to find out which MCC a merchant uses:
- Check your credit card statement: Some issuers show the MCC or category
- Use an MCC lookup tool: Our database contains over 4,000 merchant-to-MCC mappings
- Ask the merchant: They can check with their payment processor
- Make a small purchase: Then check how it's categorized on your statement