POS entry mode codes: what 05, 07, 81 and other codes mean
POS entry mode codes (also called PAN entry mode codes; PAN is the card number) show how the card was read or entered for a transaction, for example by chip, contactless, magnetic stripe or keyed entry. For example: 05 is a chip read, 07 is a proximity (contactless) payment using VSDC chip data rules, 01 is keyed in, 02 is a magnetic stripe swipe, and 81 is a card number entered for e-commerce (Mastercard and JCB).
On this page
What does each POS entry mode code mean?
Find the code in the first column, then read across to the card brand. A dash means that brand doesn’t list the code. Codes are listed without a leading zero, so look up 05 as 5 and 07 as 7.
| Code | Visa | Mastercard | Discover | JCB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blank | Unknown; defaults to 00 | Unknown; defaults to 00 | Unknown; defaults to 00 | – |
| 0 | Terminal not used | Terminal not used | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1 | Card number keyed in | Card number keyed in | Keyed in (manual) | Keyed in (manual) |
| 2 | Magnetic stripe read (general or track 2) | Magnetic stripe read (general or track 2) | Magnetic stripe | Magnetic stripe read |
| 3 | Bar code read | Bar code read (listed as Visa only) | Bar code | – |
| 4 | OCR read | OCR read | Optical character reader | – |
| 5 | Chip read, data reliable | Chip read, data reliable | Chip (integrated circuit) reader | Chip read |
| 6 | Track 1 read | Track 1 read | – | – |
| 7 | Contactless (tap) using VSDC chip data rules | Contactless (tap) using VSDC chip data rules | E-commerce | – |
| 8 | – | – | Card present, but the magnetic stripe is damaged and can’t be read | – |
| 79 | – | Chip card: unable to read chip or magnetic stripe; manual entry | – | – |
| 80 | – | Chip card: fell back to the magnetic stripe | – | – |
| 81 | – | Card number entered for e-commerce, including chip | Radio frequency (RFID) indicator | Card number entered for e-commerce, including chip |
| 82 | – | – | Mobile commerce (mCommerce) | – |
| 90 | Full magnetic stripe sent in the authorization (CVV) | Full magnetic stripe sent in the authorization (CVV) | Voice authorization | – |
| 91 | Contactless (tap) using magnetic stripe data rules | Contactless (tap) using magnetic stripe data rules | Voice response unit (VRU) | – |
| 92 | – | – | Batch authorization | – |
| 93 | – | – | Batch authorization, cash access | – |
| 94 | – | – | Biometrics | – |
| 95 | Chip-initiated; CVV data may be unreliable | Chip-initiated; CVV data may be unreliable | – | – |
| 97 | – | – | – | JCB chip fallback (Asia-Pacific region only) |
Where can I read more?
Elavon explains how its gateway sends this data in its POS Data Code and POS Entry Mode guide.
Common questions
What is POS entry mode 07?
For Visa and Mastercard, 07 means a proximity (contactless) payment using VSDC chip data rules. For Discover, 7 means e-commerce.
What does “proximity payment originating using VSDC chip data rules” mean?
It is the Visa and Mastercard description for entry mode 07. The related code 91 is a proximity payment using magnetic stripe data rules instead.
What is POS entry mode 05?
For Visa and Mastercard, 05 means a chip card read with reliable data. Discover lists 5 as an integrated circuit (chip) reader, and JCB as a chip card read.
What does POS entry mode 81 mean?
For Mastercard and JCB, 81 means the card number was entered through e-commerce, including chip. For Discover, 81 is a radio frequency (RFID) read. For a question about a code on your statement, contact Cartis at 1-888-712-0770.
Updated November 2, 2026
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