How to check your Xbox / Microsoft gift card balance
How to check your Xbox / Microsoft gift card balance on the official site, by phone or in store — plus activation, fees, expiry and scams to avoid.
Quick answer: Check your Xbox / Microsoft gift card balance online at microsoft.com or in the Xbox / Microsoft app. You will need: Microsoft account; 25-character code. Enter the card number and PIN only on microsoft.com.
What you need
- Microsoft account
- 25-character code
Check your Xbox / Microsoft gift card balance online
- Go to microsoft.com/redeem and sign in.
- Enter the 25-character code.
- Check your Microsoft account balance at account.microsoft.com under Payment options.
- Make sure you're signed in to the same account you used to redeem the card.
Other ways to check the balance
- In the app: add the card to your Xbox / Microsoft 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 Xbox / Microsoft gift card
Activated at purchase. The value is added to your Microsoft account balance.
Fees and expiry
Redeemed funds go to your Microsoft account balance, not a separate Xbox wallet. See Microsoft's gift card terms.
Where to buy Xbox / Microsoft gift cards
Microsoft Store, retailers.
Tips
- Tech-support scammers posing as Microsoft ask for gift cards. Microsoft doesn't do this.
- The balance works across Xbox, Windows and the Microsoft Store.
Xbox / Microsoft gift card FAQs
How do I check my Xbox / Microsoft gift card balance?
You can check it online at microsoft.com, app. You will usually need microsoft account and 25-character code.
How do I activate a Xbox / Microsoft gift card?
Activated at purchase. The value is added to your Microsoft account balance.
Do Xbox / Microsoft gift cards expire or have fees?
Redeemed funds go to your Microsoft account balance, not a separate Xbox wallet. See Microsoft's gift card terms.
Is it safe to use a third-party gift card balance checker?
Avoid them. Enter your card number and PIN only on microsoft.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 Xbox / Microsoft gift card has a zero balance I didn't spend?
Contact Xbox / Microsoft 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: support.microsoft.com · support.xbox.com.