How to check your Kohl's gift card balance

You can check your Kohl's gift card balance in three ways: online at Kohls.com, by phone, or in a store. Each method takes a few minutes and requires your card number and, in some cases, the PIN on the back of the card.

The online method is fastest. Go to Kohls.com, scroll to the footer, and look for "Gift Card Balance." Enter your 16-digit card number and the 4-digit PIN printed on the back. The site will show your current balance immediately. You do not need to create an account or log in.

To check by phone, call Kohl's customer service at 1-855-564-5705. Have your card number and PIN ready. A representative will look up your balance and tell you the amount. This method works during Kohl's customer service hours, which vary by season but typically run 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time.

In-store balance checks are also free. Visit any Kohl's location and ask a cashier or customer service desk employee to scan your card. They can print a receipt showing your balance.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your balance online at Kohls.com without logging in, by phone at 1-855-564-5705, or by asking a cashier in any store.
  • You will need your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN to check online or by phone.
  • Kohl's gift cards never expire and have no monthly fees, so your balance remains valid indefinitely.
  • You can use your gift card for purchases in stores or online, including sale items, and combine it with other payment methods if your balance does not cover the full purchase.

What you can and cannot buy with a Kohl's gift card

Kohl's gift cards work like cash at checkout — you can use them to buy almost anything Kohl's sells, including clothing, shoes, home goods, and beauty products. You can also use your card on sale items and clearance merchandise. The card works both in physical stores and on Kohls.com.

There are a few exceptions. You cannot use a Kohl's gift card to buy other gift cards, to pay for services like alterations or gift wrapping, or to make purchases at Kohl's Cash kiosks (though you can use Kohl's Cash itself to buy gift cards). You also cannot use the card to pay down a Kohl's credit card balance or to purchase Kohl's Cash directly.

If your gift card balance does not cover your entire purchase, you can pay the difference with another payment method — a credit card, debit card, or another gift card. The cashier will process both payments together.

How long your gift card remains valid

Kohl's gift cards do not expire. Once you receive a card, the balance stays on it indefinitely, even if you do not use it for years. There are also no monthly maintenance fees or dormancy charges that eat away at your balance over time.

This means you can hold onto a Kohl's gift card for as long as you want without worrying about losing the money. However, if you lose the physical card itself, you will need to contact Kohl's customer service with your card number to recover the balance — so keeping your card number written down somewhere safe is a good idea.

What to do if your card is lost or damaged

If you lose your Kohl's gift card or it becomes damaged and unreadable, contact Kohl's customer service at 1-855-564-5705. Have your card number ready if you have it written down. If you do not have the number, provide the original receipt or any documentation showing the card was issued to you.

Kohl's can look up your balance using the card number and issue a replacement card with the same balance. The process typically takes a few business days. If you do not have the card number or receipt, Kohl's may ask for additional information to verify you are the rightful owner — such as the date and location where the card was purchased, or the name of the person who gave it to you.

Keep your gift card receipt in a safe place. It serves as proof of the card's value if the card is lost and you need to request a replacement.

Using your gift card online versus in stores

Your Kohl's gift card works the same way online and in stores. At checkout on Kohls.com, select "Gift Card" as your payment method, enter your 16-digit card number and 4-digit PIN, and the balance will be applied to your order. If you are buying in a store, simply hand the card to the cashier at checkout.

One difference: online orders may take a few extra days to process, so if you are using a gift card to pay, the charge will not appear on your card immediately. In-store purchases are processed right away. Both methods deduct the purchase amount from your balance in real time, so you can check your remaining balance immediately after either type of purchase.

If you are returning an item bought with a gift card, Kohl's will refund the amount back to the same card. The refund typically appears within a few business days of the return being processed.

Protecting your gift card information

Your gift card number and PIN are sensitive information — anyone with both can use your card. Do not share your card number or PIN via email, text, or phone unless you initiated the contact with Kohl's directly. Kohl's customer service will never ask you for your PIN over the phone or email.

If you receive a gift card by email (a digital gift card), the email will contain a code instead of a physical card number. Treat this code the same way — do not forward it to anyone or post it online. If you suspect someone has used your card without permission, call Kohl's customer service immediately at 1-855-564-5705 to report it and check your balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my Kohl's gift card balance to someone else?

No, Kohl's does not allow balance transfers between cards. However, you can give the physical card itself to someone else, and they can use it to make purchases. If you want to give someone a specific amount, you would need to give them the card and let them spend up to that amount.

What happens if I use my gift card and then return the item?

The refund amount goes back onto your gift card, not to your original payment method. The refund typically posts within a few business days of the return being processed in-store or online.

Can I check my balance without the PIN?

Online and by phone, you need both the card number and PIN. In a store, a cashier can scan your card and check the balance without needing the PIN.

Is there a minimum or maximum balance I can have on a Kohl's gift card?

Kohl's does not publish a stated maximum balance. You can use your card until the balance reaches zero. Once the balance is zero, the card cannot be reloaded or reused.

What if my gift card shows a balance but the transaction is declined at checkout?

This can happen if the card number was entered incorrectly, the PIN is wrong, or the card has been flagged for fraud. Call Kohl's customer service at 1-855-564-5705 to troubleshoot. They can verify the balance and help determine why the card was declined.