> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.paddle.com/llms.txt).

# Credit or debit cards

Let customers pay with credit or debit cards. No configuration required.

---

## Key attributes

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Countries | All |
| Currencies | All |
| Platforms | All |
| One-time items | Supported |
| Subscriptions | Supported |
| Capture | Instant |
| Chargebacks | Supported |
| Refunds | Supported |
| Installments | Supported — Offered by some banks |
| Can be presented when saved? | Supported |
| Express checkout | Not supported |

Credit and debit cards are the most popular way to pay online globally. Paddle supports all major types of card, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Cartes Bancaires, Dankort, UnionPay, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover.

[Paddle Checkout](https://developer.paddle.com/concepts/sell/self-serve-checkout.md) makes it as easy as possible to pay with card. It presents the card form immediately alongside other payment methods, formats card numbers automatically, shows the card type, and validates form fields before customers hit pay.

Card is available as a payment option right away when using Paddle.

{% card-group cols=3 %}
{% card title="card networks" stat="10+" statColor="blue" %}
Paddle supports the most popular card networks for global payment acceptance.
{% /card %}

{% card title="cards issued" stat="17.45bn" statColor="green" %}
There's over 17bn credit, debit, and prepaid cards worldwide as of Oct 2023.
{% /card %}

{% card title="cards per person" stat="3.9" statColor="purple" %}
Americans hold an average of 3.9 active credit cards across multiple banks.
{% /card %}
{% /card-group %}

## How it works

{% journey %}
{% journey-step title="Customer enters card details at checkout" %}

Cards are always on for Paddle Checkout. The payment page presents the card form right away, alongside other payment method options.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Customer authenticates" %}

Sometimes customers are asked to authenticate a purchase using 3D Secure 2 (3DS2). Depending on the bank or card provider, customers may be prompted to enter a code sent by SMS or using their banking app.

{% /journey-step %}

{% journey-step title="Payment complete" %}

If successful, Paddle Checkout shows a success screen or enters your success workflow.

{% /journey-step %}
{% /journey %}

## Accept cards

You don't need to do anything to enable card payments. They're always enabled for Paddle accounts.

## Save cards at checkout

You can let customers securely save their card for future purchases.

1. Go to **Paddle > Checkout > Checkout settings**.
2. On the General tab, Check **Allow buyers to opt in to save their payment methods for future purchases**.
3. Click **Save** to apply.

## Test cards

You can test cards using your Paddle sandbox account.

Open a checkout, then use these card details to test payment by card:

| Card type                                              | Card number                                            |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Valid Visa debit card                                  | `4000 0566 5566 5556` |
| Valid card without 3DS                                 | `4242 4242 4242 4242` |
| Valid card with 3DS                                    | `4000 0038 0000 0446` |
| Declined card                                          | `4000 0000 0000 0002` |
| Initial success, subsequent decline                    | `4000 0027 6000 3184` |

Enter any cardholder name and a valid expiry date in the future.

{% callout type="note" %}
You can't use real card details when working with your Paddle sandbox account.
{% /callout %}