How to Use a Barnes & Noble Gift Card
Opening
A Barnes & Noble gift card works just about anywhere B&N does — in stores, online at BN.com, and on a Nook. This guide covers how to use it in each place, how to check your balance, where to find the card number and PIN, and how to buy one for less if you still need to.
How to use a Barnes & Noble gift card
In store: Hand the card to the cashier; they'll scan or swipe it and subtract the purchase from your balance. Any leftover value stays on the card for next time. If your total is more than the card's balance, you cover the difference with another payment method.
Online at BN.com: At checkout, open the payment section, enter your gift card number and PIN, and click Apply. You'll need the PIN (under the scratch-off strip on the back) for online orders.
On a Nook: You can use a Barnes & Noble gift card to buy Nook Books and single-issue newspapers until the balance runs out. Note that gift card funds can't be applied to Nook newspaper or magazine subscriptions.
Where to find your card number and PIN
The gift card number is on the back of the card — typically 15 or 19 digits — with a PIN beneath a scratch-off strip. You'll need both to redeem online or check your balance digitally.
How to check your Barnes & Noble gift card balance
The quickest way is Gift Card Granny's Barnes & Noble balance checker — enter your card number and PIN and it pulls your current balance. You can also check by phone at 1-800-295-3029, or at any Barnes & Noble register before you buy.
Where to buy a Barnes & Noble gift card (for less)
B&N gift cards are sold at Barnes & Noble stores, on BN.com, and at many retailers (Target, Best Buy, Kroger, Staples, and others — availability varies by location, so call ahead). To skip full price, buy a Barnes & Noble gift card through Gift Card Granny and earn cash back — and right now there's 5% off with code B2S2026. It's a digital gift card, delivered by email, and it works in stores and online just like a physical one.
Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card
Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card
Frequently asked questions
Where is the gift card number on a Barnes & Noble gift card? On the back of the card. It's usually 15 or 19 digits, with a PIN under a scratch-off strip that you'll need to redeem online or check your balance.
Can I redeem a Barnes & Noble gift card online? Yes. At BN.com checkout, open the payment section, enter your gift card number and PIN, and click Apply before submitting your order.
How do I use a Barnes & Noble gift card in store? Hand it to the cashier — they'll scan or swipe it and apply the funds to your purchase. Any remaining balance stays on the card.
Can I use a Barnes & Noble gift card on Nook? Yes, for Nook Books and single-issue newspapers, until the balance is used up. It can't be applied to Nook newspaper or magazine subscriptions.
How do I check my Barnes & Noble gift card balance? Use Gift Card Granny's Barnes & Noble balance checker, call 1-800-295-3029, or ask at any Barnes & Noble register. You'll need the card number and PIN.
Where can I buy a Barnes & Noble gift card for less? Buy through Gift Card Granny to earn cash back (currently 5% off with code B2S2026). B&N cards are also sold in stores, on BN.com, and at retailers like Target and Best Buy, where availability varies.
Closer
A Barnes & Noble gift card is one of the easiest gifts to give a reader — and just as easy to use, whether they're shopping the shelves, browsing BN.com, or loading up a Nook. Need one (or another)? Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card through Gift Card Granny and earn cash back, or check your balance before your next trip.