Check your Target gift card balance online, by phone, or in store
You can find out how much money is left on a Target gift card in three ways: through the Target website or app, by calling Target's customer service line, or by asking a cashier in any Target store. The online method is fastest and works anytime. The phone and in-store methods require Target's business hours or availability.
You will need the 16-digit card number printed on the front of the gift card to check the balance online or by phone. If you have lost the physical card but still have the receipt or confirmation email from when you received it, that document may have the card number. If you cannot locate the number, an in-store associate can look it up if you bring the card itself.
Key Takeaways
- The Target website and mobile app let you check your balance instantly without leaving home, using only the card number.
- Target's customer service phone line can confirm your balance and help if your card is lost or damaged.
- Any Target store cashier can scan your card and tell you the balance on the spot.
- If your card number is worn off or illegible, bring the physical card to a store and an associate can retrieve the number from their system.
- Target does not charge a fee to check your balance through any of these methods.
Checking your balance on the Target website or app
Go to target.com and look for a "Gift Cards" link, usually in the footer or under the account menu. Select "Check Gift Card Balance" and enter the 16-digit number from the front of your card. The balance will appear immediately on your screen.
The Target mobile app works the same way. Open the app, tap the menu icon, find "Gift Cards," and select the balance check option. Enter your card number and the balance displays right away. You can check as many cards as you need, one at a time.
This method works 24 hours a day and does not require you to create a Target account or log in. You can check your balance from any device with internet access.
Checking your balance by phone
Call Target's guest services line at 1-800-440-0680. A representative will ask for your 16-digit gift card number and will tell you the current balance. This line is open during Target's standard business hours, which vary by location but typically run from early morning to late evening.
If your card is damaged, lost, or the number is illegible, tell the representative. They can sometimes look up the card in Target's system using other information, though this process may take longer. Have your receipt or confirmation email ready if you have it.
Checking your balance in a Target store
Walk up to any checkout lane and ask a cashier to scan your gift card. They will see the balance on their register screen and tell you the amount. This takes less than a minute and requires no paperwork or account information.
If the card number is worn off or scratched, bring the physical card to the customer service desk. An associate can scan it or look it up in the system using the card itself, even if the number is no longer readable on the surface.
What to do if your card balance is zero or nearly zero
If your card has a balance of $0, Target will not decline it at checkout, but the transaction will fail if you do not have another payment method ready. You can still use the card if you combine it with cash, a credit card, or a debit card to cover the full purchase amount.
Target does not charge a dormancy fee or expiration date on gift cards. A card with a balance will remain valid indefinitely, even if you do not use it for years. However, if a card is lost or stolen, Target cannot replace it or transfer the balance to a new card unless you have the original receipt or confirmation email showing the card number.
Troubleshooting a card that shows no balance
If you checked your balance and it shows $0 but you believe money should be on the card, the card may have been used without your knowledge. Check your purchase history if you have a Target account linked to the card, or ask a store associate to print a receipt showing recent transactions on that card.
If the card was a gift and you never received a receipt, contact Target's guest services at 1-800-440-0680 with the card number. They can tell you when the balance was last used and from which store location. If the card was used fraudulently, Target's fraud team can investigate, though they cannot may provide a refund.
If you entered the card number incorrectly online or by phone, double-check that you typed all 16 digits correctly. The number should be printed clearly on the front of the card. If the card is damaged and the number is hard to read, visit a store and have an associate scan it instead.
Using your Target gift card after you check the balance
Once you know your balance, you can use the card at any Target store or on target.com. In a store, hand the card to the cashier along with any other payment methods you need. Online, enter the card number in the payment section of checkout, just as you would a credit card.
If your purchase is more than the card balance, Target will charge the remaining amount to another payment method you provide. You do not have to use the entire balance in one transaction. You can make multiple purchases and check your balance again anytime to see what remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a Target gift card balance without the card number?
Not online or by phone. You will need the 16-digit number. If you have lost the card but have the receipt or confirmation email, look for the number there. If you cannot find it anywhere, visit a Target store with the physical card and an associate can scan it to retrieve the number and balance.
Does Target charge a fee to check my gift card balance?
No. Checking your balance through the website, app, phone, or in store is free. Target does not charge any fee for this service, and there are no hidden costs.
What if my gift card number is scratched off or faded?
Bring the physical card to any Target store and ask a cashier or customer service associate to scan it. They can read the card's information from their system even if the printed number is no longer visible. You can also call guest services and describe the card; they may be able to help if you have the receipt.
How long does a Target gift card stay valid?
Target gift cards do not expire and do not have a dormancy fee. A card with any balance on it will remain valid indefinitely. You can use it anytime, even years after you received it.
Can Target replace a lost gift card?
Target cannot replace a lost card or transfer the balance to a new card unless you have the original receipt or confirmation email showing the card number and purchase details. If you have this documentation, contact guest services at 1-800-440-0680 with the information and they can investigate your claim.