You can give a Steam gift card three ways: buy a physical card and hand it over, send a digital code by email, or gift a game directly to someone's Steam account

Steam gift cards come as either physical cards you buy in stores or digital codes you buy online. Physical cards work like any gift card — the recipient scratches off a code and enters it into their Steam account. Digital codes arrive by email and work the same way. The third option, gifting a specific game or item directly to someone's Steam account, is the most straightforward if you know exactly what they want.

Each method has a different setup process and different limits on what you can do afterward. Physical cards can't be refunded once purchased, but digital codes have a two-hour window to cancel if you change your mind. Direct game gifts go straight to the recipient's library and can't be returned after two weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Physical Steam cards are sold at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy in denominations from $20 to $100, and the recipient enters the code themselves.
  • Digital Steam gift cards are bought directly from Steam and emailed to the recipient, with a two-hour cancellation window if you need to stop the transaction.
  • Gifting a specific game or item directly to someone's Steam account requires you to own a copy first and sends it straight to their library.
  • Steam gift cards have no expiration date and work in any country where Steam operates, though the currency depends on the recipient's account region.

Buying and sending a digital gift card through Steam

Log into your Steam account on a web browser and go to the Steam Gift Cards page. Select the amount you want to send — options range from $5 to $100 USD, or the equivalent in other currencies depending on your region. Click "Send as a Gift" instead of "Add to My Account."

Steam will ask for the recipient's email address and let you add a personal message. You can schedule the email to arrive on a specific date if you want to time it for a birthday or holiday. After you complete payment, Steam sends the code to that email address. The recipient has 30 days to claim it before the code expires, though they can contact Steam Support to extend that window if needed.

If you change your mind within two hours of purchase, you can cancel the transaction through your Steam purchase history. After two hours, the gift card is locked in and can't be stopped, though the recipient still has 30 days to claim it.

Buying a physical gift card at a store

Physical Steam cards are sold at most major retailers: Target, Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, and many grocery stores in the games or electronics section. Denominations typically range from $20 to $100. You pay at checkout like any other product, then give the card directly to the person you're gifting it to.

The recipient scratches off the back to reveal a code, then enters it into their Steam account under "Redeem a Steam Gift Card or Wallet Code." The funds go into their Steam Wallet and can be spent on any game, DLC, or in-game item Steam sells. Physical cards have no expiration date once purchased, but you can't return them or get a refund after you leave the store.

Physical cards are useful if you want to give a gift in person or aren't sure of the recipient's email address. The downside is you're limited to whatever denominations your local store stocks, and you have to be in a store to buy one.

Gifting a specific game or item directly to someone

If you know exactly which game or item the person wants, you can gift it directly to their Steam account without using a gift card. You need to own a copy of the game first — you can't gift something you don't have. Go to the game's store page, click the gift icon, and enter the recipient's Steam username or email address.

Steam will send them a notification that you've sent a gift. They have 30 days to accept or decline it. Once they accept, the game appears in their library and they can start playing immediately. If they decline, the game goes back to your inventory and you can gift it to someone else or keep it.

Direct gifting works well when you're certain about what someone wants and want to skip the step of them choosing. The trade-off is that the recipient can't return the game after two weeks if they change their mind, and you can't gift games that are region-locked or restricted in the recipient's country.

Understanding Steam Wallet currency and regional limits

Steam gift cards and Wallet funds are tied to the recipient's account region. If someone's Steam account is set to the United States, they receive USD. If it's set to the United Kingdom, they receive GBP. When you send a digital gift card, Steam converts the amount to the recipient's regional currency automatically.

Some games and items are restricted by region, meaning they can't be purchased or gifted in certain countries. Before you gift a specific game, check the store page to see if it's available in the recipient's region. If a game is region-restricted, the gift will be declined automatically and you'll get a notification.

Gift cards themselves have no expiration date once claimed, but the code itself expires 30 days after you send it if the recipient hasn't redeemed it yet. Wallet funds, once added to an account, stay there indefinitely.

What happens if something goes wrong

If the recipient doesn't receive a digital gift card email, ask them to check their spam folder first — it sometimes gets filtered there. If it's not there, you can resend the code through your Steam purchase history within the two-hour cancellation window. After two hours, contact Steam Support with your order number and they can resend it manually.

If a physical card code doesn't work, the recipient should try entering it again carefully — codes are case-sensitive. If it still doesn't work, they can contact Steam Support with a photo of the card and receipt. Steam can usually verify the code and add the funds manually.

If a direct game gift is declined or the recipient's region doesn't support the game, you'll get a notification. The game returns to your inventory and you can try gifting it to someone else or keep it for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I gift a Steam game to someone in a different country?

It depends on the game. Some games are region-locked and can't be gifted to certain countries. Before you send a gift, check the game's store page for regional restrictions. If the recipient's region isn't supported, Steam will reject the gift automatically and you'll get a notification.

What if I buy a gift card but the recipient already has that amount in their Wallet?

That's fine — the funds just add to what they already have. There's no limit to how much someone can have in their Steam Wallet, so multiple gift cards stack up. They can spend it all at once or over time.

Can I get a refund on a physical Steam card I already bought?

No. Physical cards can't be refunded once you've purchased them. Digital codes can be cancelled within two hours of purchase, but physical cards are final. If the card is damaged or the code doesn't work, contact Steam Support with proof of purchase and they may be able to help.

Do Steam gift cards work on the Steam Deck?

Yes. The Steam Deck uses the same Steam account as your computer, so any gift card funds go into the same Wallet. You can spend them on games and items through the Steam Deck's interface just like you would on a PC.

How long does it take for a gifted game to show up in someone's library?

Once the recipient accepts a direct game gift, it appears in their library immediately and they can start playing right away. They have 30 days to accept or decline the gift after you send it.