How to check your Target gift card balance
How to check your Target gift card balance on the official site, by phone or in store — plus activation, fees, expiry and scams to avoid.
Quick answer: Check your Target gift card balance online at target.com, in the Target app, by phone (1-800-544-2943) or at any Target checkout. You will need: card number; access number (under the metallic strip). Enter the card number and PIN only on target.com.
What you need
- Card number
- Access number (under the metallic strip)
- Target account (online)
Check your Target gift card balance online
- Gently remove the metallic strip on the back to reveal the card number and access number.
- Sign in to (or create) your Target account, then go to target.com/guest/gift-card-balance.
- Enter the card number and access number.
- Or call 1-800-544-2943 to hear the balance and your last five transactions.
Other ways to check the balance
- By phone: call 1-800-544-2943 and enter the card number when prompted.
- In store: ask a cashier or customer-service desk at any Target location to check it.
- In the app: add the card to your Target account in the official app to see the balance any time.
- On your receipt: the balance remaining after each purchase is usually printed on the receipt.
Activating a Target gift card
Activated at the register when purchased.
Fees and expiry
Target says its GiftCards don't expire and don't lose value over time, even if a date is printed on the card.
Where to buy Target gift cards
Target stores, target.com.
Tips
- Lost or stolen card? Call 1-800-544-2943 with your original receipt. Partly used cards can be replaced for the remaining balance.
- Target may deactivate cards to prevent fraud. Buy only from Target or trusted sellers.
- Visa, Mastercard or Amex cards bought at Target are checked with their issuer, not Target.
Target gift card FAQs
How do I check my Target gift card balance?
You can check it online at target.com, phone, in store, app. You will usually need card number and access number (under the metallic strip).
How do I activate a Target gift card?
Activated at the register when purchased.
Do Target gift cards expire or have fees?
Target says its GiftCards don't expire and don't lose value over time, even if a date is printed on the card.
Is it safe to use a third-party gift card balance checker?
Avoid them. Enter your card number and PIN only on target.com, in its official app, or in store. Third-party checkers can capture the numbers and drain the card.
What should I do if my Target gift card has a zero balance I didn't spend?
Contact Target customer service straight away with the card, the receipt and the purchase details. Card-draining fraud — where numbers are copied before the card is sold — is common; the sooner you report it the better the chance of recovery.
Can I get cash back for a small remaining balance?
Sometimes. Several US states require cash back for small balances — California, for example, for balances under $15 (raised from $10 in April 2026) — and some Canadian provinces have similar rules. Ask at the till or contact the brand.
Sources: www.target.com · www.target.com · www.target.com.