Short answer

Stripe does not document a field called "CVV v6". In test mode, the CVC field on card 4242 4242 4242 4242 accepts any three digits, so 123, 424, and 999 all pass. American Express test cards such as 3782 822463 10005 use four digits. Stripe checks the length and the format of the code, not the value. Any future expiry date works, for example 12/34. The "v6" part of the phrase matches nothing in Stripe's testing documentation. Stripe.js ships as version 3, and the API version is a date string such as 2024-06-20.

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Test card numbers and CVC length

  • 4242 4242 4242 4242, Visa, CVC 3 digits
  • 4000 0566 5566 5556, Visa debit, CVC 3 digits
  • 5555 5555 5555 4444, Mastercard, CVC 3 digits
  • 6011 1111 1111 1117, Discover, CVC 3 digits
  • 3056 9300 0902 0004, Diners Club, CVC 3 digits
  • 3782 822463 10005, American Express, CVC 4 digits
  • 3714 496353 98431, American Express, CVC 4 digits

The CVC carries no checksum, so no digit pattern is required. Stripe returns cvc_check as a status string after the authorization attempt.

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Test cards that fail the CVC check

Stripe publishes test cards for check-specific outcomes. Card 4000 0000 0000 0101 returns a decline with the code incorrect_cvc. Other test numbers in the same list return postal code and address line results. These numbers work in test mode only. A live key rejects them.

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Where "v6" may come from

The string does not appear in Stripe's docs. Possible sources are an API version string, a Stripe.js release, a plugin version, or a forum tag. If a form or a prompt asks for "CVV v6", it is not a Stripe field. A value typed into such a field has no effect on a test charge.

stripe test card cvv v6

Rules that apply in test mode

  • Test cards work with test API keys. Live keys block the numbers.
  • No money moves. Charges show in the Dashboard with a Test badge.
  • Expiry accepts any future month and year.
  • Stripe accepts any 3-digit CVC on 4242 4242 4242 4242.

CVC storage

PCI DSS forbids storing the CVC after authorization. Stripe's API returns the cvc_check result and does not return the digits. Test mode follows the same rule, so a stored test payload will not contain a CVC after the charge completes.