Protect your most valuable assets by choosing the safest PIN number
Here’s How to Choose the Safest PIN Number
Updated on May 21, 2025
How easy would it be for someone to guess your debit or credit card personal identification number—aka PIN? You’re not alone. Picking the safest PIN number is more important than ever, especially as cyber threats get more advanced. Cybersecurity experts say that hackers can crack predictable PINs in just a few tries—yikes! The good news? A little know-how goes a long way toward protecting PIN codes and keeping your money and identity safe.
Reader’s Digest spoke to Tyler Moffitt, senior security analyst at OpenText Cybersecurity, and Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Casaba Security, to learn PIN security tips and common PIN mistakes. Keep reading, and let’s create a strong PIN number that even the sneakiest hackers would hate.
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What makes a PIN number secure?
In a word: randomness.
The safest PIN numbers don’t follow predictable patterns like birthdays, anniversaries or keypad shapes. But in a 2025 study of 29 million PIN numbers conducted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, analysts found that 1234 is by far the most common PIN. That simple sequence was used by nearly 1 in 10 people. Repeated digits were also common: 0000 was the second most popular PIN number, with 1111 right behind.
A four-digit PIN has 10,000 possible combinations, so you have ample opportunities to pick a good one. So what’s the best choice? “Statistically, 8068 is the safest PIN,” says Moffitt.
The most common PIN mistakes to avoid
You might as well be handing your ATM card to a hacker if your PIN is your birthday (or the birthday of a family member), an anniversary or other important and personally-identifiable date.
Other common PIN mistakes to avoid include:
- Using repeating digits (0000) and sequential patterns (1234)
- Choosing numbers based on keyboard patterns, such as the four numbers down the middle (2580)
- Using the same PIN number for every card
- Never changing your PIN, even after a breach
To truly have the safest PIN number, randomness is your best friend.
Best practices for choosing the safest PIN
Moffitt says numbers that don’t follow an obvious pattern, date or keypad shape are much harder for hackers to guess. You already know that 8068 is the safest PIN number, but Moffitt says other good numbers are 7637, 6835 and 9629, because they follow no pattern, they aren’t dates, there’s no repetition of numbers and you’re not running vertically down the column of the keypad (2580).
Here’s your blueprint for how to create a secure PIN that keeps you ahead of the hackers:
- Avoid anything personal. No birthdays, anniversaries, addresses or easy-to-find information.
- Mix it up. Choose numbers that aren’t sequential or patterned.
- Utilize two-factor authentication (2FA), which requires a secondary authorization (like a text message).
And don’t forget to change your PIN periodically, especially when you hear about a data breach. “With most banks, you can change the card’s PIN right at the ATM, by selecting ‘Other Options’ or something similar to that,” Glassberg says. “Just be sure to use the same precautions noted above when typing in the new PIN.”
How to protect your PIN from unauthorized access
Strong PIN numbers are only half the battle. Here are some PIN security tips to keep your data secure:
- Cover the keypad with your hand when typing your PIN in public.
- Never share your PIN—not even with friends or family.
- Don’t write it down or keep it anywhere obvious, like in your wallet or smartphone notes app.
- Watch out for skimming devices that thieves attach to ATMs or gas pumps to steal your PIN.
Another sneaky trick hackers use is shoulder surfing—peeking over your shoulder at an ATM or checkout line. They can also capitalize on data breaches and online scams; once your information is out there, any PIN number tied to your personal details becomes easy prey.
Criminals also use automated software to guess combinations quickly. While no PIN is completely immune to these attacks, choosing a truly random PIN significantly lowers your risk. That’s because hackers and hacking software often starts with the most common combinations. Rare, patternless numbers much less likely to be guessed early on.
Examples of strong vs. weak PINs
Want real examples? Here’s what works (and what doesn’t):
| Weak PINs | Strong PINs |
| 1234 | 8391 |
| 0000 | 5068 |
| 2580 (straight down) | 9629 |
| 1990 (birth year) | 7462 |
Choosing the safest PIN number isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little effort. By avoiding common mistakes, picking unpredictable numbers and practicing good security habits, you can keep hackers guessing (and failing).
FAQs
Can my PIN be hacked?
Yes, hackers can guess common PINs easily, especially if they have other data about you. Random, frequently changed PINs are harder to crack.
How often should I change my PIN?
Ideally, every 3-6 months, or immediately after a major security breach, suspicious activity or if you think someone saw it.
What’s the difference between a password and a PIN?
A password is typically longer, and used for online accounts. A PIN is shorter, usually numeric and linked to devices like bank cards or phones.
About the experts
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on the safest PIN number, Jen McCaffery tapped her experience as a longtime reporter covering innovations in technology, health and science. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Tyler Moffit, senior security analyst and community manager at OpenText Cybersecurity
- Jason Glassberg, co-founder of Casaba Security
- NIST: “Digital Identity Guidelines”
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “Almost one in 10 people use the same four-digit PIN”
