Stokes is the son of rugby league player and coach Gerard Stokes. He moved to England at a young age after his father was appointed head coach of Workington Town rugby league club, and grew up in the small West Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, playing cricket for Cockermouth Cricket Club; he won the North Lancashire & Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division Title with the club as a 15-year-old in 2006. As of 2013 his parents have moved back to New Zealand and again reside in Christchurch.

Stokes made his one-day debut for Durham in 2009 at The Oval and managed to take the wicket of the highly experienced batsman Mark Ramprakash with only his third delivery in professional cricket. He played in two youth tests against Bangladesh U19 during 2009, in which he made a half-century and took a few wickets. He then went on to play in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, during which he scored a century against the India U19.

He made his first-class debut for Durham against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) during the traditional season opener, which for 2010 was taking place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. During that match he baggsed a half-century and took one wicket. At the start of the 2010 County Cricket Season he also made his Championship debut for Durham when he played in a fixture against Essex. He made his maiden first-class century against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 13 May. He has also featured for Durham in the Clydesdale Bank 40-over competition. Durham's continuing problems with many players becoming injured at the start of the 2010 season meant that Stokes continued playing in all forms of the game for Durham. Having had a very successful debut season in first-class cricket he was given a place in the England Performance Programme and travelled to Australia during the 2010–11 Ashes.

On 2 January 2015, Stokes joined the Melbourne Renegades of Australia's Big Bash League for the remainder of the season as a replacement for Jesse Ryder, who was ruled out through injury.

On 13 February 2017, Stokes was appointed vice-captain of England's test team, deputising under Joe Root, who was made captain the same day.

On 20 February 2017, Stokes was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL for Rs 14.5cr (£1.7m). He made his maiden T20 hundred against Gujarat Lions, getting 103* in 63 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. He was awarded the Man of The Match trophy a record 3 times in 14 games before he left for na