BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)
Payment Gateways & Processors · Data Validation
Card BIN lookup API to identify card brand, issuing bank, card type, and issuing country
BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas) Highlights
BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas) is best for payment gateways, fintech startups, and e-commerce checkouts needing card brand and issuer identification
API Key (X-Api-Key header)
Free tier: up to 50,000 calls/month; 5 req/sec burst limit
Nigeria
Ghana
KenyaThe BIN Lookup API by API Ninjas allows developers to inspect Bank Identification Numbers (BIN / IIN the first 6 to 8 digits of payment cards). It returns critical card metadata including the issuing bank name, card brand (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Verve), card type (credit, debit, prepaid), card level (Classic, Gold, Platinum), and issuing country.
In Nigerian fintech, e-commerce checkouts, and remittance systems, the BIN Lookup API is vital for dynamically detecting card brands, routing domestic cards through local payment rails (like Paystack or Monnify) while routing international cards appropriately, and preventing payment fraud by verifying if the card's issuing country matches the shopper's IP location.
BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas) Core Features & Capabilities
| Feature | Status | Description & Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Card Payments (Visa / Mastercard / Verve) | ✓ Supported | Accept payments from local and international debit and credit cards with instant authorization. |
| International / Multi-Currency Payments | ✓ Supported | Accept payments and hold balances across multiple global currencies including USD, GBP, and EUR. |
| Bank Transfer / Pay by Transfer | ✗ Not Supported | Accept direct bank transfers with automated payment matching and instant account reconciliation. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
| USSD Payments | ✗ Not Supported | Enable customers to complete transactions using telecom and bank USSD shortcodes without internet access. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
| Virtual Account Numbers | ✗ Not Supported | Generate dynamic or dedicated NUBAN virtual bank accounts to receive automated collections. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
| Recurring / Subscription Billing | ✗ Not Supported | Automate repeated scheduled charges, subscription billing cycles, and saved card tokenization. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
| Payment Links & Invoicing | ✗ Not Supported | Create no-code shareable checkout links and electronic invoices sent directly to customers. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
| Webhooks & Real-time Notifications | ✗ Not Supported | Receive immediate server callbacks on transaction completions, chargebacks, and system events. (Not supported by BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)). |
- Free tier includes up to 50,000 API requests per month with an API key
- Commercial paid plans from $10/month for higher volume and elevated rate limits
Required Access Documents for BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas)
- API Ninjas AccountRequiredSign up at api-ninjas.com to generate your API key
Different BIN Lookup API (API Ninjas) use cases
- Dynamic Checkout UI Card Logos:Display the corresponding Visa, Mastercard, or Verve badge as the user types their card number.
- Payment Gateway Smart Routing:Route local cards to domestic Nigerian acquiring channels to lower merchant processing fees.
- Card Fraud & Risk Scoring:Flag orders where the card issuing country differs from the customer's delivery country.