What a Stripe payment link is and how to make one
A Stripe payment link is a shareable URL that lets you send a payment request to a customer without building a website or checkout page. The customer clicks the link, enters their payment details, and completes the transaction. Stripe generates the link for you in your dashboard, and you can send it via email, text, social media, or any other channel.
The link itself is permanent and reusable—the same URL can process multiple payments from different customers. You set the amount, currency, and what the payment is for when you create it. Stripe handles the payment processing, fraud detection, and receipt delivery.
Key Takeaways
- Payment links are created in your Stripe Dashboard under the Payment Links section, and Stripe generates the URL automatically.
- You can set a fixed amount, allow customers to enter their own amount, or create a link that works for multiple transactions at the same price.
- The link works on desktop and mobile, accepts all major payment methods Stripe supports, and sends automatic receipts to the customer's email.
- Payment links do not expire, but you can disable a link at any time to stop accepting payments through it.
- Stripe charges its standard processing fee (2.9% + $0.30 in the US for card payments) each time a payment is completed through the link.
How to create a payment link in Stripe Dashboard
Log into your Stripe Dashboard and navigate to the Payment Links section. This is usually found in the left sidebar under "Payments" or "Products" depending on your dashboard layout. Click the button to create a new payment link.
Enter the payment details: the product or service name, the amount in your chosen currency, and an optional description. You can also add a product image if you want the payment page to show a visual. Decide whether the amount is fixed or whether customers can enter their own amount—this is useful for donations or variable-price services.
Choose which payment methods to accept. By default, Stripe enables card payments, but you can also allow Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfers, and other methods depending on your location and Stripe account setup. Set whether you want to collect the customer's email address, phone number, or shipping address.
Review the preview of what the payment page will look like, then click Create Link. Stripe generates a unique URL immediately. Copy this URL and share it wherever you need to—email, invoice, social media, or a QR code.
Customizing the payment link appearance and behavior
After you create a link, you can customize how it looks and what information you collect. Click into the link settings to add your company logo, change the background color, or write a custom thank-you message that appears after payment.
You can also set up automatic actions after payment: redirect the customer to a specific URL, send them a confirmation email, or trigger a webhook to notify your own system. This is useful if you need to deliver a digital product, update a database, or send an invoice automatically.
If you want to track which payments came from which source, add UTM parameters to the link or create separate links for different campaigns. Stripe's analytics dashboard shows you how many times each link was visited and how many payments were completed.
Sharing and managing your payment link
The payment link works anywhere you can paste a URL. Send it in an email invoice, add it to your website, include it in a text message, or embed it in a social media post. The link is the same every time—you do not need to create a new one for each customer unless you want to track them separately.
You can generate a QR code directly from the Stripe Dashboard that points to your payment link. This is useful for in-person transactions, printed materials, or situations where typing a long URL is inconvenient.
Monitor payments in real time in your Stripe Dashboard. You can see which payments came through which link, refund individual transactions, and download reports for accounting. Stripe sends you email notifications when payments are received, and the customer receives an automatic receipt.
When to disable or delete a payment link
Payment links do not expire on their own, but you can disable one at any time. Disabling stops new payments from going through that link while keeping the transaction history intact. This is useful when you no longer want to accept payments for a specific product or service.
If you want to stop accepting payments through a link but keep it visible for reference, disable it. If you want to remove it from your dashboard entirely, you can archive or delete it—though Stripe keeps the transaction records regardless.
You cannot change the amount or payment method settings on an existing link. If you need different terms, create a new link instead. You can have as many active links as you need.
Payment link fees and settlement
Stripe charges its standard processing fee for each payment completed through a payment link. In the United States, this is 2.9% plus $0.30 for card payments. International cards, ACH transfers, and other payment methods have different rates—check your Stripe pricing page for the exact fees in your region.
Payments settle to your connected bank account according to your Stripe payout schedule, which is usually one to two business days. You can view pending and completed payouts in the Stripe Dashboard under Payouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the amount on a payment link after I create it?
No. Once you create a link with a fixed amount, that amount is locked in. If you need to charge a different amount, create a new link. If you set the link to allow customers to enter their own amount, they can pay any amount they choose.
What happens if a customer's payment fails?
Stripe shows an error message on the payment page and the customer can try again with a different card or payment method. The failed attempt does not charge them. You can see failed payment attempts in your Stripe Dashboard under Events or Logs.
Do payment links work on mobile phones?
Yes. Payment links are fully responsive and work on any device with a web browser. Customers can complete the entire payment on their phone, and Stripe automatically detects whether to show Apple Pay or Google Pay based on their device.
Can I send the same payment link to multiple customers?
Yes. The same link can process unlimited payments from different customers. Each payment is tracked separately in your dashboard. If you want to track which customer paid through which link, create separate links for each customer or campaign.
What if I need to refund a payment made through a payment link?
Go to your Stripe Dashboard, find the transaction in your payment history, and click Refund. You can refund the full amount or a partial amount. The refund goes back to the customer's original payment method within one to three business days.