On Visa and MasterCard credit cards, the number is located on the back of the card in the signature area. The number is always three digits and is sometimes preceded by the card number or the last four digits of the card number.

On American Express cards, the four-digit number is located on the front of the card, just above the card number, usually on the right:

Discover, Diner's Club, and some older credit cards may not have the codes.