MSR - Track Specifications

Data magnetic tracks are located on the reverse side of plastic cards. Magnetic Stripe Readers can read 3 magnetic tracks, in several combinations of tracks, depending which model is being used.

These combinations are called single / dual / triple track magnetic stripe readers, and each track is destinated to a specific application:

Track 1:  IATA (airline industry), alphanumeric data, 7 bit, 210 BPI, 82 characters maximum.

Track 2:  ABA (banking industry), numeric data, 5 bit, 75 BPI, 40 characters maximum.

Track 3:  THRIFT (several uses), numeric data, 5 bit, 210 BPI, 107 characters maximum.

The proper location of the magnetic tracks in the back of the card follows the specifications of the ISO 7811, according with the diagram below (dimensions in inches):

International Standards Organization (ISO) Credit Card Format

Track 1

  Track 2