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Definition: MICR
(Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) The machine recognition of numeric data printed with magnetically charged ink. Pronounced "mike-er," it is used on bank checks and deposit slips, and MICR readers detect the characters and convert them into digital data. Although optical methods (OCR) became very sophisticated, magnetic ink is still used because it serves as a deterrent to fraud. A photocopied check is not printed with magnetic ink.
MICR Font
Early MICR Machine
A More Modern Machine
The E13B standard font is used for MICR digits and symbols on bank checks and deposit slips. There are only 14 characters in the font.
The "football field-long" machine from Recognition Equipment was used in the 1970s to process checks and credit card slips. (Image courtesy of BancTec, Inc.)
This contemporary machine supports both MICR and OCR processing at blazingly fast speeds. (Image courtesy of Imaging Business Machines, LLC.)