Capture

Capture is the step that turns an approved authorization into a real payment. Authorization reserves the funds; capture tells the bank to move them, creating the charge that eventually settles into your balance.

Immediate vs manual capture

• Automatic capture — the default: Stripe authorizes and captures in one step, so the payment completes instantly.
• Manual capture — you authorize first and capture later, once you know the final amount or are ready to fulfill the order.

Things to know

• You can capture the full authorized amount or less (for example, if part of an order is out of stock).
• Authorizations expire — typically within about seven days for cards — so an uncaptured authorization hold is released if you wait too long.
• Capturing starts the clock on settlement, when the money actually lands in your Stripe balance.