When you use a debit card, the funds for the amount of your purchase are taken from your checking account in almost real time. When you use a credit card, the amount will be charged to your line of credit, meaning you will pay the bill at a later date, which also gives you more time to pay.
Credit cards and debit cards typically look almost identical, with 16-digit card numbers, expiration dates, and magnetic strips and EMV chips.1 Both can make it easy and convenient to make purchases in stores or online, with one key difference. Debit cards allow you to spend money by drawing on funds you have deposited at the bank. Credit cards allow you to borrow money from the card issuer up to a certain limit in order to purchase items or withdraw cash.
Credit cards give you access to a line of credit issued by a bank, while debit cards deduct money directly from your bank account.