Adding a gift card takes two minutes and requires only your account and the card code
To add an Amazon gift card to your account, go to amazon.com, sign in, and navigate to Your Account (the menu under your name in the top right). Select Gift cards, then Redeem a gift card. Enter the 16-character code from the back of the card or from your email, then click explore to Your Balance. The money appears in your account when ready and stays there until you spend it.
The card code is the only thing you need — you don't have to enter an expiration date or any other information. Once the code is in your account, the balance shows up next to your payment methods when you check out, and Amazon uses it before charging any credit card or bank account you have on file.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon gift card codes are 16 characters long and found on the back of physical cards or in the body of emailed gift cards.
- You redeem the code through Your Account > Gift cards > Redeem a gift card, and the balance appears when ready.
- The balance stays in your account indefinitely and applies automatically at checkout before any other payment method.
- If you receive a code by email, copy it directly from the email rather than typing it by hand to avoid mistakes.
- Lost or damaged codes can be replaced through Amazon's customer service if you have proof of purchase or the original email.
Where to find the code on a physical gift card
On a physical Amazon gift card, the code is printed on the back in a white box, usually below a barcode. The code is always 16 characters — a mix of letters and numbers. Some cards have the code printed in large text; others print it smaller. If the printing is faded or worn, you can still read it by tilting the card under light or taking a photo with your phone's camera and zooming in.
Do not scratch off any protective coating before you are ready to redeem. Some gift cards ship with a scratch-off layer covering the code to prevent theft during shipping. Scratch it off only when you are about to enter the code into your account, and keep the card in case you need to contact Amazon about the transaction later.
Redeeming a code from an email gift card
When someone sends you an Amazon gift card by email, the message contains the code in the body of the email, usually in a highlighted box or button. The email will say something like "Claim your gift card" or "Redeem this gift card." Click the link or button in the email, and it takes you directly to the redemption page with the code already filled in — you just confirm and explore it.
If you prefer to enter the code manually instead of clicking the link, copy the code from the email and paste it into the redemption box on the gift cards page. Copying and pasting is safer than typing by hand, because a single wrong character will cause the code to be rejected. If the email link does not work, go to amazon.com, sign in, and navigate to the gift cards page to enter the code yourself.
What happens after you redeem the code
Once you click explore to Your Balance, the money is in your account. You will see a confirmation message on the screen, and Amazon also sends a confirmation email to the address on your account. The balance shows up when ready in your Gift Card Balance section under Your Account, and it remains there until you spend it — there is no expiration date on redeemed balances.
At checkout, Amazon automatically uses your gift card balance first. If your purchase is less than your balance, the remaining amount stays in your account. If your purchase is more than your balance, Amazon charges the difference to your default payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You can see your current balance anytime by going to Your Account > Gift cards.
Troubleshooting a code that will not work
If you enter a code and Amazon says it is invalid, check for these common mistakes: the code is 16 characters, not 15 or 17; you have not typed the letter O instead of the number 0, or the letter I instead of the number 1; and you have not included spaces or dashes that are not part of the actual code. Copy the code from the email or card again and paste it rather than retyping it.
If the code still does not work after you have checked it twice, the code may have already been redeemed by someone else, or it may be damaged. Contact Amazon's customer service through Your Account > Contact Us, and tell them the code you are trying to redeem. If you have the original email or receipt showing the code was sent to you, Amazon can investigate and replace it if it was used without your permission.
Using a gift card on a shared or family account
If you redeem a gift card on an account that multiple people use, the balance belongs to whoever redeemed it. The balance does not automatically split among family members or other users on the account. If you want to share the balance, you have to spend it yourself on items for the household, or you can contact Amazon to see if they can help transfer it — though transfers between accounts are not standard.
If you have an Amazon Household set up with a partner or family members, each person has their own gift card balance tied to their own login. Redeem the code on the account you want to use it from, and it will be available only to that account at checkout.
Gift cards from third-party sellers and resellers
Amazon gift cards sold through grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers work the same way as cards sold directly by Amazon. The code is on the back of the card, and you redeem it the same way through Your Account > Gift cards. However, gift cards from third-party resellers or discount sites sometimes have restrictions — they may be region-locked (only work in certain countries) or may have already been partially used.
Before you buy a discounted gift card from a reseller, check the listing to see if it mentions any restrictions. If you buy a card and the code does not work, contact the seller first, not Amazon. Amazon's customer service can help if the card is damaged or if you have proof it was defective when you received it, but they cannot override restrictions set by third-party sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a gift card on a different Amazon account?
No. Once you redeem a code on an account, the balance is tied to that account permanently. You cannot transfer it to another account or use it on a different login. If you redeem a code by mistake on the wrong account, contact Amazon's customer service when ready — they may be able to help if you have not spent any of the balance yet.
What if I lose the gift card before I redeem it?
If you have the original email or receipt showing the code was sent to you, contact Amazon's customer service and provide that proof. Amazon can investigate and may replace the code if it has not been redeemed. If you do not have proof of purchase or the original email, Amazon cannot help recover the code.
Do Amazon gift cards expire?
No. Once you redeem a code and the balance appears in your account, it does not expire. You can use it anytime in the future. However, unredeemed physical gift cards may have an expiration date printed on them — check the back of the card to see if there is a date listed.
Can I add a gift card to an account that is not mine?
No. You must be signed into the account where you want the balance to appear. If you want to give someone a gift card, send them the code by email or give them the physical card, and they redeem it on their own account. You cannot redeem it for them.
What if the code has a typo or is partially scratched off?
If you can read at least most of the code, try entering it — Amazon will tell you if it is invalid. If the code is too damaged to read, contact Amazon's customer service with the original email or receipt. If you have proof the card was defective when you received it, Amazon can replace it.