Card Reader Test

A free test page for any USB magnetic-stripe card reader. Most are "keyboard-wedge" devices: they type the decoded swipe as a fast keystroke burst framed by track sentinels, not a card image. This tool captures that burst, confirms which tracks decoded, masks the card number on screen, detects an encrypting (P2PE) reader, and reports the Enter or Tab terminator. It confirms the reader works while revealing nothing sensitive.

Read the Card Reader Test guide for help reading the verdict or fixing each failure mode.

Your card data never leaves this tab

Card data never leaves this browser tab, is masked on screen, and is never stored or uploaded. The number is masked the instant it is read (only a leading digit and the last four are shown); the cardholder name, expiry, and service code are redacted entirely; no card data is written to storage; and this page makes no network requests of any kind. View source to verify.

Use a test or throwaway card. You do not need a live customer card to test a reader. Any old gift card, expired card, hotel key, or loyalty card with a magnetic stripe will confirm the hardware works. This tool checks the reader, not the account.

Configuration

Driver: Keyboard-wedge (HID) capture

Takes about 20 seconds. Swipe straight into the capture box; keystrokes stay in this browser tab, the card number is masked on screen, and nothing is logged or uploaded.

Status Check Step

Pending

Reader sends a swipe

Swipe a card into the capture box. The keystroke burst is captured and its inter-key timing measured to tell a real swipe from hand typing.

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Use a test or throwaway card - not a live customer card. Any magnetic stripe (gift, loyalty, expired, or hotel key) confirms the reader.

Click the box, then swipe a card through the reader. A keyboard-wedge reader types the decoded tracks as a fast burst framed by sentinels (Track 1 starts %B and ends ?; Track 2 starts ; and ends ?) and finishes with Enter or Tab. The card number is masked the instant it is read. Swipe as many times as you like, then click Done.

Read result: Waiting
Card brand: -
Track 1 (masked): -
Track 2 (masked): -
Terminator: -
Swipe timing: -

Pending

Tracks decode cleanly (or reader is encrypting)

Checks that Track 1 and/or Track 2 are well-formed, or recognizes an encrypting (P2PE) reader as a valid outcome. Only masked data is ever shown.

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Pending

Reader is configured for this workstation

Confirms the swipe ended with an Enter (carriage return) terminator and flags common keyboard-layout and terminator pitfalls.

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