Adding a gift card to Steam takes about five minutes and works the same way whether you bought it in a store or online

To add a gift card to Steam, you log into your account on a computer or the Steam app, go to your account settings, find the "Redeem a Product Code" option, and enter the 16-character code printed on the back of the card. Steam then adds the card's value to your account wallet, and you can spend it immediately on any game, software, or in-game content in the Steam store.

The process is straightforward, but a few things can go wrong — an expired card, a code you've already used, or a typo in the code itself. This guide walks you through each step and shows you what to do if something doesn't work.

Key Takeaways

  • You need to be logged into your Steam account on a computer or the Steam app to redeem a gift card code.
  • The code is a 16-character string printed on the back of the physical card or sent to your email if you bought it online.
  • Steam adds the money to your account wallet, where it stays until you spend it on games or in-game items.
  • If the code doesn't work, check for typos, make sure you haven't already redeemed it, and verify the card hasn't expired.

Redeeming a gift card on your computer

Open Steam on your computer and log in with your username and password. Once you're in, look at the top right corner of the window and click on your account name, then select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, look for the left sidebar and click on "Redeem a Product Code". A window will pop up asking you to enter the code. Find the 16-character code on the back of your gift card (it looks like XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX, with letters and numbers) and type it into the box. Double-check for typos — Steam won't accept a code with even one wrong character. Click "Next" when you're done.

Steam will verify the code and show you how much money is being added to your account. Click "Finish" to complete the process. The money now sits in your Steam wallet and you can use it to buy anything in the store.

Redeeming a gift card on the Steam app

If you're using the Steam app on your phone or tablet, the steps are slightly different. Open the app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Select "Account" from the menu.

Scroll down until you see "Redeem a Product Code" and tap it. You'll see a text box where you can enter your code. Type in the 16-character code from the back of your gift card, checking carefully for mistakes. Tap "Next" and then "Finish" to add the money to your wallet.

What the code looks like and where to find it

Steam gift card codes are always 16 characters long and use a mix of letters and numbers. On a physical card bought in a store, the code is printed on the back, usually under a scratch-off silver panel. Scratch it off gently to reveal the code underneath.

If you bought a digital gift card online, the code is sent to the email address you provided when you made the purchase. Check your inbox and spam folder if you don't see it right away. The email will contain the full code ready to copy and paste into Steam.

What to do if the code doesn't work

The most common reason a code won't work is a typo. Go back and check each character against the code on your card or in your email. Pay special attention to letters that look similar, like the number zero and the letter O, or the number one and the letter I.

If you've already redeemed the code once, Steam will reject it if you try to use it again. Each code works only one time. If someone else redeemed the code before you, you won't be able to use it — contact the person who gave you the card or the store where you bought it.

Check the expiration date on the card. Most gift cards don't expire, but some regional versions do. If your card has an expiration date printed on it and that date has passed, the code won't work. In that case, contact the store or company that issued the card to see if they can issue a replacement.

If you've checked for typos, confirmed you haven't used the code before, and the card isn't expired, try redeeming it again. Sometimes a temporary connection issue prevents the code from going through. If it still doesn't work after a second attempt, contact Steam Support through the Help menu in your account settings.

Where the money goes after you redeem it

Once you redeem a gift card, the money appears in your Steam wallet. This is a balance that stays in your account until you spend it. You can see your wallet balance at the top right of the Steam store page, next to your account name.

You can use your wallet balance to buy any game, software, or in-game item available in the Steam store. The money never expires and doesn't get used up if you don't spend it right away. If you buy something that costs less than your balance, the remaining money stays in your wallet for your next purchase.

Buying a gift card if you don't have one yet

Steam gift cards are sold at most retailers that carry video game products, including Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and GameStop. They're also available from online retailers like Amazon. Physical cards come in set amounts, usually $20, $50, or $100.

You can also buy digital gift cards directly from Steam's website. Go to the Steam store, click on your account name in the top right, and select "Gifts". From there you can purchase a digital code and send it to someone else's email, or keep it for yourself. Digital codes arrive instantly and work the same way as physical cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Steam gift card to buy games for other people?

No, once you redeem a gift card code into your account, the money is yours to spend. If you want to give a game to someone else, you can buy a gift card code and send them the unredeemed code, or you can purchase a game as a gift directly from the Steam store and have it sent to their email address.

What happens if I redeem a gift card but don't spend the money?

The money stays in your Steam wallet indefinitely. There's no expiration date on wallet balance, so you can hold onto it as long as you want and spend it whenever you find a game you want to buy.

Can I get a refund if I accidentally redeemed the wrong code?

Once a code is redeemed, it can't be undone. If you redeemed a code by mistake, contact Steam Support to explain what happened. They may be able to help, but refunds on gift cards are handled case by case and aren't may provide.

Do Steam gift cards work in every country?

Most Steam gift cards work worldwide, but some regional versions are locked to specific countries. Check the packaging or product listing to see if there are any geographic restrictions. If you're outside the region where the card was sold, it may not work.

Can I combine multiple gift cards into one wallet?

Yes. You can redeem as many gift card codes as you want into the same account, and they all add up in your wallet balance. There's no limit to how much money you can have in your Steam wallet.