{"id":16101,"date":"2025-10-28T10:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/?p=16101"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:56:19","slug":"what-is-a-debit-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/what-is-a-debit-card\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a debit card, and how do I get one?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n\t\t\t{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is a debit card?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A debit card is a physical form of payment\u2014meaning it\u2019s a card you can actually hold in your hand\u2014typically connected to a checking account. It\u2019s possible to link a debit card to a money market account, a savings account, or another cash account, but linking it to a checking account is the most common.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What\u2019s the difference between a debit card and a credit card?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Debit cards and credit cards look similar, but there are some important differences between debit cards and credit cards that you should keep in mind: A debit card pays for transactions with money you already have in an account, while a credit card effectively picks up the tab and sends you a bill later. With a debit card, you can only spend as much as you have in your account. Credit cards, by contrast, are effectively lending you money to spend. The most common fees associated with a debit card are minimum balance fees (when your balance falls below a required amount) and overdraft fees (when you don\u2019t have enough money in your account to pay for your debit card transactions). Credit cards don\u2019t have those fees, but you can incur other fees if you don\u2019t pay your total monthly credit balance on time each month.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Do money market accounts have debit cards?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Some, but not all, money market accounts offer debit cards. Money market accounts typically earn interest and are Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured, but they can also offer some of the features of a checking account.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How does a debit card work?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Debit cards are versatile. When you know how to use a debit card, you can get the most out of: Debit cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash from your account. Similar to a credit card, you can use your debit card in person at a cash register. Debit cards can also be used for buying things online. \"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What are the benefits of a debit card?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"There\u2019s a reason that a debit card is a staple in so many people\u2019s wallets. Debit cards come with a number of benefits:\n\nConvenience. It\u2019s a lot easier to use a debit card to buy things and withdraw money than it is to write checks.\nSecurity. Your money is typically protected by FDIC insurance. (Check with your bank.) And many banks will send you a fraud alert if any suspicious activity is detected.\nRewards. In the past, credit cards have been known for having better rewards than debit cards. However, in recent years, some debit cards have stepped up their game, offering cash back in exchange for using the card.\"\n      }\n    },\n{\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What are typical debit card fees?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"You won\u2019t pay interest on the transactions you make with your debit card, but you need to be aware of common debit card fees and how to avoid them:\n\nOverdraft fees. If your bank doesn\u2019t offer overdraft protection, this is a fee to keep an eye on. That\u2019s because if you accidentally spend more money than you have in your linked account, your bank may charge you an overdraft fee.\nATM fees. Using ATMs outside of your bank\u2019s ATM network may result in transaction fees that will be deducted from your linked account.\nMaintenance fees. Some banks charge account maintenance fees if your minimum balance falls below a certain amount.\"\n      }\n    },\n{\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How to get a debit card\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"To get a debit card for yourself, follow these steps:\n\n1. Research financial institutions\n2. Open an account with your financial institution of choice \n3. Activate your debit card \"\n      }\n    },\n{\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How old do you have to be to get a debit card\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"You can usually be any age to have and use a debit card, but if you\u2019re under 18, you\u2019ll need a legal guardian to open the linked account for you.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\t\t<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re taking your first steps toward financial independence, it\u2019s the perfect time to get acquainted with the debit card. So let\u2019s dive into what a debit card is, how to use a debit card, and how to get a debit card for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a debit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A debit card is a physical form of payment\u2014meaning it\u2019s a card you can hold in your hand\u2014typically connected to a checking account. It\u2019s possible to link a debit card to a money market account, a savings account, or another cash account, but linking it to a checking account is the most common. You can use a debit card to pay for things in person and online or to withdraw cash directly from your account via an ATM. Whether you\u2019re making a purchase or withdrawing cash with your debit card, the money is immediately drawn (that is, <em>debited<\/em>) from your account.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-the-difference-between-a-debit-card-and-a-credit-card\">What\u2019s the difference between a debit card and a credit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Debit cards and credit cards look similar, but there are some important <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/credit-cards-vs-debit-cards-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">differences between debit cards and credit cards<\/a> that you should keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-does-the-money-on-a-debit-card-come-from\">Where does the money on a debit card come from?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A debit card pays for transactions with money you already have in an account, while a credit card effectively picks up the tab and sends you a bill later. After buying something with your debit card, your account balance will decrease by the amount you just paid almost immediately. With a credit card, your credit balance is how much you\u2019ll eventually need to pay back to the credit card company, while your available credit is how much you have left to spend before you reach your credit limit. When you purchase something with your credit card, your credit balance will increase by that amount, and your remaining available credit will decrease in tandem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-spending-limits-on-debit-cards\">Spending limits on debit cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With a debit card, you can only spend as much as you have in your account. Credit cards, by contrast, are effectively lending you money to spend. Credit card companies don\u2019t want you to spend more than you can eventually pay back, so they cap how much money you can spend. This is known as your credit limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-costs-and-fees-on-debit-cards\">Costs and fees on debit cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common fees associated with a debit card are minimum balance fees (when your balance falls below a required amount) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/what-is-overdraft-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overdraft fees<\/a> (when you don\u2019t have enough money in your account to pay for your debit card transactions). Credit cards don\u2019t have those fees, but you can incur other fees if you don\u2019t pay your total monthly credit balance on time each month. That\u2019s because you\u2019ll start accumulating interest on any balances not paid in full by the end of the billing cycle. The longer it takes to pay off your balance, the more you\u2019ll end up owing in interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-money-market-accounts-have-debit-cards\">Do money market accounts have debit cards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some, but not all, money market accounts offer debit cards. Money market accounts typically earn interest and are Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured, but they can also offer some of the features of a checking account.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438.jpg\" alt=\"A woman receives her coffee from a barista.\" width=\"2120\" height=\"869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438.jpg 2120w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438-300x123.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438-780x320.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438-768x315.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438-1536x630.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_1-In-Article-e1687557369438-2048x839.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-a-debit-card-work\">How does a debit card work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Debit cards are versatile and are a convenient way to spend money without carrying a checkbook or large amounts of cash. When you know how to use a debit card, you can get the most out of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-atm-withdrawals\">ATM withdrawals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Debit cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash from your account. Simply insert or tap the card, type in your PIN, and select how much money you want to withdraw. Some banks and ATMs may charge fees if you use your card with an unaffiliated financial institution, so make sure you know <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/#ATMFinder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">which ATMs are free<\/a> for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-in-person-transactions\">In-person transactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like a credit card, you can use your debit card in person at a cash register. Depending on your card type, you will either swipe, insert, or tap your debit card and enter your PIN to make your purchase. You\u2019re probably used to seeing debit cards used this way at stores and restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-online-purchases\">Online purchases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Debit cards can also be used for buying things online. However, when you place an order online, you typically need to enter more information since you can\u2019t swipe your card. That information can include your card number, expiration date, security code, billing address, and possibly other verification information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-the-benefits-of-a-debit-card\">What are the benefits of a debit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a reason that a debit card is a staple in so many people\u2019s wallets. Debit cards come with several benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Convenience.<\/strong> It\u2019s a lot easier to use a debit card to buy things and withdraw money than it is to write checks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Security.<\/strong> Your money is typically protected by FDIC insurance. (Check with your bank.) And many banks will send you a fraud alert if any suspicious activity is detected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"mx-auto block-quote block-quote--5back bg-fixed bg-center bg-no-repeat bg-cover z-0\">\n    <div class=\"block-quote__glow\"><\/div>\n    <blockquote class=\"post--constrain-large\">\n        <p>You can use a debit card to pay for things in person and online or withdraw cash directly from your account via ATMs, fees may apply.<\/p>\n            <\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"post__content\">\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-typical-debit-card-fees\">What are typical debit card fees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t pay interest on the transactions you make with your debit card, but you need to be aware of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/how-to-avoid-checking-account-fees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">common debit card fees and how to avoid them<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overdraft fees.<\/strong> If your bank doesn\u2019t offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/what-is-overdraft-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">overdraft protection<\/a>, this is a fee to keep an eye on. That\u2019s because if you accidentally spend more money than you have in your linked account, your bank may charge you an overdraft fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>ATM fees.<\/strong> Using ATMs outside of your bank\u2019s ATM network may result in transaction fees that will be deducted from your linked account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Maintenance fees.<\/strong> Some banks charge account maintenance fees if your minimum balance falls below a certain amount. According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/banking\/checking\/checking-account-fees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2024 Bankrate study<\/a>, the average monthly maintenance fee for noninterest-earning checking accounts that charge this fee was $5.47.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While the above debit card fees can dwindle your account balance, they can often be avoided by checking your balance, keeping an eye on your spending, and using the right ATMs.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16168\" src=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in a boutique considers purchasing a blouse.\" width=\"2120\" height=\"869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466.jpg 2120w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466-300x123.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466-780x320.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466-768x315.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466-1536x630.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/What-is-a-debit-card_2-In-Article-e1687557645466-2048x839.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-you-get-a-debit-card\">How do you get a debit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To get a debit card for yourself, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li><strong>Research financial institutions<\/strong>&nbsp; <br>There are a lot of banks with different fees, ATM networks, and other benefits, so be sure to assess your options. Some banks may offer certain perks for opening a new account or using your debit card regularly, while others may have more flexible options that allow you to avoid fees.<\/li><li><strong>Open an account with your financial institution of choice<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>Regardless of where you open it, you can\u2019t have a debit card without some sort of bank account\u2014such as a checking or a money market account\u2014tied to your debit card. Once you\u2019ve chosen a bank, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/opening-a-checking-account-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">open a checking account<\/a> or money market account with them.<\/li><li><strong>Activate your debit card<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>When you receive your card, it should come with instructions on how to activate it. This typically involves calling a phone number or going online. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-get-a-debit-card\">How old do you have to be to get a debit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can usually be any age to have and use a debit card, but if you\u2019re under 18, you\u2019ll need a legal guardian to open the linked account for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-debit-card-is-a-first-step-toward-financial-freedom\">A debit card is a first step toward financial freedom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting your first debit card may seem intimidating, but once you find the card that\u2019s right for you, it\u2019s a breeze. In fact, there are many perks to having a debit card\u2014especially if you know how to use a debit card to your benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Debit cards can unlock many of the benefits of your checking account.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":22509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,23],"tags":[3410,94,3497,126,25,102,128,93,49],"class_list":["post-16101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-banking101","category-checking","tag-atm","tag-convenience","tag-debit-card","tag-fees","tag-online-banking","tag-online-checking-account","tag-opening-an-account","tag-security","tag-spending"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16101"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21718,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16101\/revisions\/21718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.discover.com\/online-banking\/banking-topics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}