Magnetic Stripe Card Readers

Tracks, swipe speed and what the cards hold

A magnetic stripe holds up to three tracks. Track 1 carries letters and numbers, such as a name, track 2 carries numeric data such as an account or member number, and track 3 is rarely used. Many readers read only tracks 1 and 2, while 3-track models also read cards that put data on the third. Bi-directional readers accept a swipe either way. A speed range such as 3 to 60 inches per second tells you how slow or fast a swipe can be.

Keyboard emulation, HID or serial: how the data arrives

In keyboard-emulation mode the reader types the card data wherever the cursor is, which needs no driver but sends text to whatever window is active. USB HID mode delivers data to a specific application through an interface, which is tidier for custom software. RS-232 serial suits older terminals. Some listings mention secure or encrypting readers, which scramble data before it reaches the computer and need matching software to decode it. Pick the mode your software expects.

Questions about Magnetic Stripe Card Readers

What is the difference between track 1, 2 and 3?

Track 1 holds alphanumeric text, track 2 holds numbers only, in a more compact form, and track 3 is an extra numeric track used by some systems. Check which tracks your cards use, then pick a reader that supports them.

Will a magnetic stripe reader read chip or contactless cards?

No. It reads only the stripe. Many chip cards still carry a stripe that it can read, but the chip and contactless antenna need a smart card or RFID reader instead.

Why do some swipes fail to read?

Common causes are a worn or dirty stripe, a swipe that is too slow or too fast for the reader's speed range, or swiping in the wrong direction on a single-direction head. Cleaning the head with a cleaning card can also help.