A four-digit code the card networks assign to classify what a business sells (for example, 5812 for restaurants). Your MCC affects your interchange, risk classification, and which programs apply.
Why it matters for your business
Terms like Merchant category code aren't just jargon — they sit behind what you actually pay to accept payments. Understanding them is the difference between reading your statement and being at the mercy of it. If you're not sure how this shows up in your own costs, the fastest way to find out is to have someone read your statement line by line.
See what you're really paying →Related — Money Movement