You swipe a card so that the magnetic stripe passes flat along the reader, with the stripe closest to and facing the body of the machine, in one smooth, top‑to‑bottom or side‑to‑side motion depending on the slot orientation.

Basic rule: stripe to the reader

  • Hold the card so the magnetic stripe (the dark strip on the back) is nearest the machine and facing it.
  • Swipe in the direction the slot is built:
    • Vertical slot on the side: move the card from top to bottom.
* Horizontal slot on the top/side: move from one end all the way to the other.
  • Keep the front (numbers/logo) facing away from the machine in most standard readers.

How to swipe step by step

  1. Find the swipe slot on the terminal (often on the side; sometimes on the top).
  1. Turn the card so the stripe is:
    • Closest to the reader body.
    • Facing inward toward the machine.
  1. Insert one end of the card into the slot and swipe all the way through in one steady, medium‑speed motion.
  1. If it does not read, try again slightly faster or slower, or flip the card so the stripe is still facing the reader but now “up” instead of “down” (some machines are picky).

If the machine looks different

  • Look for the tiny diagram next to the slot; it shows card orientation and swipe direction.
  • If there is a chip slot in front and the screen asks you to “insert” instead of “swipe,” push the chip end in and leave the card until it tells you to remove it.
  • If you see the contactless “wifi” symbol, you can tap the card or phone instead of swiping.

Quick troubleshooting tips

  • Wipe the stripe quickly on cloth if it fails; dirt can cause read errors.
  • Make sure you are going all the way from one end of the slot to the other; half‑swipes often fail.
  • If you are unsure, ask the cashier; they are used to guiding customers on the exact way their terminal wants the card.

TL;DR: Magnetic stripe facing the machine, closest to its body, one smooth full swipe in the direction the slot is built (usually top‑to‑bottom on a side slot).