What is 4242 4242 4242 4242?

It is Stripe’s best-known test card number. In test mode it behaves like a Visa card and every payment with it succeeds. Combine it with any future expiry date, any 3-digit CVC, and any ZIP code. It only works with test-mode API keys, never with real charges.

What expiry date and CVC should I use with Stripe test cards?

Any future date and any CVC work, for example 12/34 and 123. American Express test cards take a 4-digit CVC, for example 1234. For ZIP or postal code, any valid-looking value such as 12345 is accepted.

Why is my Stripe test card being declined?

The three common causes: you are using live-mode API keys (test cards only work with keys starting with pk_test_ / sk_test_ ), you picked a card from the declines list that is designed to fail, or the expiry date is in the past. If you want a decline on purpose, use the declines tab above and pick the exact code you want to reproduce.

Do Stripe test cards work in live mode?

No. Test card numbers are rejected in live mode, and real cards are rejected in test mode. The two environments are fully separate, which is why you can test freely without moving real money.

Can I use a test card on my Checkout Page checkout?

Yes. Turn on test mode and pay with a test card that succeeds, such as 4242 4242 4242 4242. You can test in the editor, or put your live checkout in test mode. Real cards are declined until you turn it off. Learn how test mode works

How do I test 3D Secure authentication?

Use one of the 3D Secure cards above. Stripe displays a test authentication dialog where you choose to complete or fail the challenge, so you can test both the success path and the failure path of your checkout.

Can I test subscriptions with these cards?

Yes. Test cards work for recurring payments exactly like one-time payments. To simulate renewals and trial endings without waiting weeks, use Stripe test clocks to fast-forward a test customer through time.

How do I test refunds and disputes?

Use the disputes and refunds tab. One card succeeds and is then disputed as fraudulent, another triggers a dispute inquiry, and one succeeds but fails when you try to refund it, so you can test your dispute-handling and refund flows end to end.

Are Stripe test payments free?

Yes. Test-mode payments never move money and never incur Stripe fees. You can run as many as you like.

Stripe test cards

Use any future expiry, any CVC, and any ZIP. Test cards only work in test mode.

Most used

VisaSucceeds
The classic Stripe test card. Payment succeeds immediately.
Generic declineDeclines
Visageneric_decline
Insufficient fundsDeclines
Visainsufficient_funds
3DS required3DS challenge
Visa
Requires authentication on every transaction, regardless of how the card was set up.
3DS2 challenge flow3DS challenge
Visa
Triggers the full 3D Secure 2 challenge window.
MastercardSucceeds

All cards

Visa (debit)Succeeds
Funding shows as debit.
Mastercard (2-series)Succeeds
Uses the newer 2-series BIN range (starts with 2223).
Mastercard (debit)Succeeds
Funding shows as debit.
Mastercard (prepaid)Succeeds
Funding shows as prepaid.
American ExpressSucceeds
15-digit number with a 4-digit CVC.
American Express (2)Succeeds
DiscoverSucceeds
Discover (2)Succeeds
Diners ClubSucceeds
Diners Club (14-digit)Succeeds
Tests 14-digit card numbers.
JCBSucceeds
UnionPaySucceeds
UnionPay (debit)Succeeds
Funding shows as debit.
UnionPay (19-digit)Succeeds
Tests 19-digit card numbers.
Lost cardDeclines
Visalost_card
Stolen cardDeclines
Visastolen_card
Expired cardDeclines
Visaexpired_card
Incorrect CVCDeclines
Visaincorrect_cvc
Processing errorDeclines
Visaprocessing_error
Incorrect numberDeclines
Visaincorrect_number
Fails the Luhn check. Use it to test number validation in your form.
Velocity limit exceededDeclines
Visacard_velocity_exceeded
Always blocked (fraud)Declines
Visafraudulent
Radar blocks the charge as fraudulent.
CVC check failsSucceeds
Visaincorrect_cvc
Charge succeeds unless you block on failed CVC checks; the CVC check is reported as failed.
ZIP check failsSucceeds
Visaincorrect_zip
Charge succeeds; the postal code check is reported as failed.
Address & ZIP checks failSucceeds
Visaincorrect_address
Charge succeeds; address and postal code checks both fail.
3DS required for setup3DS challenge
Visa
Requires authentication when saving the card for future payments.
Declined after authentication3DS challenge
Visa
Authentication succeeds, then the charge is declined.
3DS supported, not requiredSucceeds
Visa
Supports 3D Secure but completes without a challenge (frictionless).
Off-session after setup3DS challenge
Visa
Authenticate during setup, then off-session charges succeed without a challenge.
United KingdomSucceeds
Visa
United Kingdom (debit)Succeeds
Visa
CanadaSucceeds
Visa
AustraliaSucceeds
Visa
BrazilSucceeds
Visa
MexicoSucceeds
Visa
GermanySucceeds
Visa
FranceSucceeds
Visa
JapanSucceeds
Visa
IndiaSucceeds
Visa
SingaporeSucceeds
Visa
ItalySucceeds
Visa
SpainSucceeds
Visa
NetherlandsSucceeds
Visa
IrelandSucceeds
Visa
SwitzerlandSucceeds
Visa
New ZealandSucceeds
Visa
Dispute (fraudulent)Disputed
Visa
Charge succeeds, then is disputed as fraudulent.
Dispute (product not received)Disputed
Visa
Charge succeeds, then is disputed as product not received.
Dispute inquiryDisputed
Visa
Charge succeeds, then an inquiry is opened.
Refund failsSucceeds
Visa
Charge succeeds, but refunding it asynchronously fails.

Verified against Stripe docs on 2026-08-16. docs.stripe.com/testing

Learn about test mode

How to use Stripe test cards

How do Stripe test cards work?

Test cards only work with your test-mode API keys (keys starting with pk_test_ and sk_test_). Use any future expiry date, any CVC, and any ZIP code with the numbers above. No real money moves, and the cards do nothing in live mode.

How do I test a declined payment?

Pick a card from the declines tab. Each one triggers a specific decline code, so you can check that your checkout shows the right error message for insufficient funds, an expired card, or a generic decline.

How do I test 3D Secure?

Use a card from the 3D Secure tab. Stripe shows a test authentication window with buttons to complete or fail the challenge, so you can test both outcomes without a real bank.

Beyond a single charge

Test more than one payment

Testing subscriptions and trials

The same cards work for recurring payments. To simulate renewals, trial endings, and failed renewal payments without waiting, use Stripe test clocks, which fast-forward time for a test customer.

Testing webhooks locally

Card payments trigger the same webhook events in test mode. Run stripe listen --forward-to localhost:3000/webhook with the Stripe CLI to receive them locally, then create a test payment from your terminal with a PaymentMethod token such as pm_card_visa.

Selling with Stripe?

Checkout Page gives you a hosted checkout built on your own Stripe account. Create a checkout, run a test payment with the cards above, and go live when it looks right, all without writing code.

Start selling for free

No credit card required. Cancel anytime.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about Stripe test cards

: It is Stripe’s best-known test card number. In test mode it behaves like a Visa card and every payment with it succeeds. Combine it with any future expiry date, any 3-digit CVC, and any ZIP code. It only works with test-mode API keys, never with real charges.
: Any future date and any CVC work, for example 12/34 and 123. American Express test cards take a 4-digit CVC, for example 1234. For ZIP or postal code, any valid-looking value such as 12345 is accepted.
: The three common causes: you are using live-mode API keys (test cards only work with keys starting with pk_test_/sk_test_), you picked a card from the declines list that is designed to fail, or the expiry date is in the past. If you want a decline on purpose, use the declines tab above and pick the exact code you want to reproduce.
: No. Test card numbers are rejected in live mode, and real cards are rejected in test mode. The two environments are fully separate, which is why you can test freely without moving real money.
: Yes. Turn on test mode and pay with a test card that succeeds, such as 4242 4242 4242 4242. You can test in the editor, or put your live checkout in test mode. Real cards are declined until you turn it off. Learn how test mode works
: Use one of the 3D Secure cards above. Stripe displays a test authentication dialog where you choose to complete or fail the challenge, so you can test both the success path and the failure path of your checkout.
: Yes. Test cards work for recurring payments exactly like one-time payments. To simulate renewals and trial endings without waiting weeks, use Stripe test clocks to fast-forward a test customer through time.
: Use the disputes and refunds tab. One card succeeds and is then disputed as fraudulent, another triggers a dispute inquiry, and one succeeds but fails when you try to refund it, so you can test your dispute-handling and refund flows end to end.
: Yes. Test-mode payments never move money and never incur Stripe fees. You can run as many as you like.

More free tools