How to Gift
Two ways to get a game into your friend's Steam library.
Games to Gift is a free service that tracks your Steam friends' wishlists, monitors game prices, and surfaces gift ideas ranked by taste match, deal strength, and occasion timing. This page explains how to complete a gift purchase once you have found the right game.
Option 1
Gift on Steam
Add to cart → Purchase as a gift→ select your friend. Lands in their library instantly.
- Must be Steam friends for 3+ days
- Friend can't already own the game
- May be blocked across regions with large price differences
- Can schedule delivery for a future date. Lock in a sale price today and have it arrive on the right day.
Option 2
Buy a key from a store
Buy a Steam key from Fanatical, Humble, or Green Man Gaming. Send the code and your friend redeems it on Steam.
- Can be cheaper than Steam
- Bypasses Steam's cross-region gifting block
- Keys can be region-locked. Always check the listing.
Common questions
What if I schedule a gift and my friend buys the game before it arrives?
Steam automatically refunds the purchase to your Steam wallet. You won't be charged twice and your friend keeps the copy they bought.
My friend already owns the game. What do I do?
Steam won't let you gift a game they already own. Check their wishlist for alternatives, or get them a Steam Wallet gift card.
Can I gift to someone in a different country?
Steam may block gifts between regions with large price differences. If that happens, buying a key from a third-party store is an option, but keys can be region-locked. Always check the listing for region restrictions before purchasing. Some keys will not activate outside their listed region.
What if the key is region-locked and my friend can't redeem it?
Contact the store's support. Reputable stores like Fanatical and Humble typically offer refunds or exchanges for region issues. Always read the region notes on the listing before buying to avoid this situation.