Testnets
Cardano testnets let you safely test integrations, build applications, mint tokens, and operate stake pools without spending real ada. Each testnet serves a specific purpose in the development lifecycle.
For mainnet configuration and other networks, see the Networks Overview.
Choosing a testnet​
| Network | Network Magic | Purpose | Hard Fork Timing | Epoch Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preview | 2 | Test upcoming features | 4+ weeks before mainnet | Standard (5 days) | Early testing, learning new features |
| Preprod | 1 | Pre-production validation | Same time as mainnet | Standard (5 days) | Final validation before mainnet |
| Guild | Custom | Rapid development | Flexible | 1 hour | Quick iteration, integration testing |
Preview testnet​
Preview showcases new Cardano features before mainnet deployment. Use Preview to:
- Test upcoming protocol features early
- Provide feedback on new functionality
- Learn new capabilities before they go live
Hard forks on Preview lead mainnet by at least 4 weeks, giving you time to prepare.
Get configuration files:
Direct download: Cardano Operations Book - Preview
curl -O -J "https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/environments/preview/{config,db-sync-config,submit-api-config,topology,byron-genesis,shelley-genesis,alonzo-genesis,conway-genesis}.json"
Preprod testnet​
Preprod mirrors mainnet as closely as possible. Use Preprod to:
- Validate your application before mainnet deployment
- Test against production-like conditions
- Perform final integration testing
Hard forks on Preprod occur within one epoch of mainnet, making it ideal for final validation.
Get configuration files:
Direct download: Cardano Operations Book - Preprod
curl -O -J "https://book.world.dev.cardano.org/environments/preprod/{config,db-sync-config,submit-api-config,topology,byron-genesis,shelley-genesis,alonzo-genesis,conway-genesis}.json"
Guild network​
Guild Network is a community-maintained testnet optimized for rapid testing with 1-hour epochs. Use Guild to:
- Iterate quickly during development
- Test epoch boundary logic without waiting days
- Access historical data across multiple hard forks (10K+ epochs)
Important: Faucet access is manual. Request funds in the Guild Operators support channel.
Get configuration files: Guild Operators GitHub
Getting started​
1. Get a testnet wallet​
Choose a wallet that supports your target testnet:
Light wallets (Browser/Mobile):
- Lace - IOG wallet supporting Preview, Preprod, and Sancho
- Eternl - Supports Preview, Preprod, and Sancho
- Yoroi Nightly - Emurgo wallet for Preview, Preprod, and Sancho
- Typhon - StricaHQ wallet for Preprod
Hardware wallets:
- Ledger Nano S/X - Supports Preview and Preprod
Developer tools:
- cardano-wallet - HTTP API for programmatic access
Configure your wallet for the testnet network during setup or switch networks in settings.
2. Get test ada​
Test ada (tAda) has no real-world value but lets you test freely on testnets.
For Preview and Preprod: Visit the Cardano Testnet Faucet for automated tAda distribution.
For Guild Network: Request tAda manually in the Guild Operators support channel.
3. Use a block explorer​
Monitor your testnet transactions:
- Preview: explorer.cardano.org/preview
- Preprod: explorer.cardano.org/preprod