How to gift games on steam

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: Gifting games on Steam is a straightforward process. You can purchase a game and choose the "Purchase as a gift" option, then select a Steam friend from your list. Alternatively, you can buy a Steam Wallet gift card, which allows the recipient to choose their own game.

Key Facts

You can gift games directly from the Steam store page.
Gifts can be sent immediately or scheduled for a future date.
You can only gift games to users who reside in the same region as you.
Gifts can be redeemed by the recipient within a year of purchase.
Steam Wallet gift cards are available in various denominations.

Overview

The Steam platform, developed by Valve Corporation, has become the dominant digital distribution service for PC gaming. One of its popular features is the ability to gift games to friends, allowing players to share their favorite titles or introduce new games to their social circles. This functionality enhances the social aspect of PC gaming and provides a convenient way to celebrate special occasions with fellow gamers.

How to Gift a Game Directly

Gifting a game directly through the Steam store is the most common method. Once you've decided on a game you wish to purchase as a gift, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Game's Store Page: Open the Steam client or go to the Steam website and find the game you want to gift.
Click the "Add to Cart" Button: On the game's store page, locate the button to purchase the game. Instead of clicking "Add to Cart" directly, look for an option that says "Purchase as a gift". This is usually located next to or below the standard purchase button.
Select "Purchase as a gift": Clicking this option will open a new window.
Choose a Recipient: You will be presented with your Steam friends list. Select the friend you wish to send the game to. You can also choose to "Send as a gift to myself" if you want to reserve it for later or send it via email.
Add a Personal Message (Optional): You have the option to include a custom message with your gift. This is a nice touch for birthdays, holidays, or just to let your friend know why you chose that particular game for them.
Select Delivery Option: You can choose to "Send now" or "Choose a date" to schedule the gift for a specific time, such as a friend's birthday.
Complete the Purchase: Proceed to checkout as you normally would for any other Steam purchase. The gift will be sent to your friend once the transaction is complete.

Understanding Gift Restrictions

While Steam's gifting feature is quite flexible, there are a few restrictions to be aware of:

Regional Restrictions: Games can generally only be gifted to users within the same country or region. This is due to regional pricing and content licensing agreements. If you try to gift a game to someone in a different region, Steam will usually warn you about this restriction.
DLC and Bundles: Most downloadable content (DLC) and game bundles can also be gifted, provided they are eligible for gifting. However, some specific DLCs or bundles might not be giftable.
Pre-Purchased Games: Games that have not yet been released (pre-purchased) can also be gifted. The gift will be delivered on the release date.
Account Age: The recipient must have a Steam account that is at least 30 days old to receive a gift.

Redeeming a Gift

When a friend gifts you a game on Steam, you'll receive a notification within the Steam client and via email. To redeem the gift:

Notification: Look for the gift notification in your Steam client's "Inventory" or "Messages" section.
Accept the Gift: Click on the gift notification and choose to "Accept Gift".
Add to Library: Once accepted, the game will be added to your Steam library. If the game is already in your library, you will have the option to "Regift" it (subject to certain conditions and time limits) or decline it.
Redemption Window: Gifts must be redeemed within a year of being sent. If not redeemed, the gift will expire and be removed from your inventory.

Alternative Gifting Method: Steam Wallet Gift Cards

For a more flexible gifting option, you can purchase Steam Wallet gift cards. These cards add funds to a user's Steam Wallet, which they can then use to purchase any game or item on the Steam store, including games you might not have known they wanted.

Steam Wallet gift cards can be purchased:

Digitally: From authorized online retailers or directly from Steam. These are sent via email.
Physically: From many brick-and-mortar retail stores.

When you purchase a Steam Wallet gift card, you'll receive a code that you can give to your recipient. They can then redeem this code on their Steam account to add the specified amount to their Steam Wallet.

Important Considerations for Gifting

Refunds: If you purchase a game as a gift and later decide you want a refund, the process can be complicated. Generally, refunds are only possible if the gift has not been redeemed by the recipient. If it has been redeemed, the refund must be requested by the recipient.
Marketplace Items: Items purchased from the Steam Community Market cannot be gifted.
Gifting to Yourself: You can purchase a game as a gift and send it to yourself. This is useful if you want to take advantage of a sale price but don't want to add the game to your library immediately, or if you want to gift it later.

By understanding these methods and considerations, you can effectively share your passion for PC gaming with friends and family through Steam's robust gifting system.