Stripe test card numbers for development

Stripe test card numbers are 16-digit values that trigger set responses in test mode. They work only with test API keys. They do not charge real accounts. They do not move real money. Use them to test checkout flows, subscription billing, and error handling.

Stripe Test Card Numbers vs Real Card Numbers: Which to Use and When

Stripe publishes a fixed set of numbers. The most common is 4242 4242 4242 4242. Any future expiration date and any 3-digit CVC work with that number. The card is a Visa test card. It returns a successful charge in test mode.

read more

Common test numbers

  • 4242 4242 4242 4242: Visa, success.
  • 5555 5555 5555 4444: Mastercard, success.
  • 4000 0025 0000 3155: Visa, 3D Secure authentication required.
  • 4000 0000 0000 9995: Visa, insufficient funds decline.
  • 4000 0000 0000 0002: Visa, generic decline.
  • 4000 0000 0000 0069: Visa, expired card decline.
  • 4000 0000 0000 0127: Visa, incorrect CVC decline.
  • 4000 0000 0000 0119: Visa, processing error.

Stripe also lists numbers for specific bank declines, velocity limits, and address verification failures. The full list sits in Stripe's public documentation. Test numbers do not expire. They do not have real credit lines. They do not link to a cardholder.

Synonym Stripe Fake Card Number Generator: How to Create Securely

Rules for use

  1. Use test mode and a test secret key. Live keys reject test numbers.
  2. Use any future expiration date. Use any 3-digit CVC for most success cases.
  3. Do not send test numbers to a live payment gateway. They will fail or be rejected.
  4. Do not store test numbers as if they were real card data. Keep test data separate from production data.

Stripe test cards help developers check code paths. They do not replace full integration tests. They do not cover every issuer response. For 3D Secure flows, Stripe provides separate test cards. Use 4000 0025 0000 3155 and follow the authentication step.

related article

Data handling

PCI DSS rules apply to payment card data. Test numbers are not real account numbers. Still, treat all payment code as sensitive. Keep API keys out of source control. Use environment variables. Log no full card numbers. Stripe test mode is a sandbox. It does not process real money. It does not settle funds.

If a test number does not trigger the expected result, check the API version and the payment method type. Stripe updates test card behavior over time. Read the current Stripe test documentation for the exact list.