what are steam gift cards used for

Steam is owned Steam is owned by Value, which had a net worth of $7.7 billion in 2022. It is a gaming platform that you can use on Windows, Mac, and Android. Steam gift cards significantly help you on the platform. Before you start your gaming journey you should know how to use Steam gift cards online. 

There are many use cases for Steam gift cards. This article will help you understand: 

  • How to use the Steam gift card? 
  • What things can you buy with the gift card? 
  • Can you send a steam gift card to a different region? 

Let’s dive right in!    

How to Use a Steam Gift Card Online?  

Steam gift cards have many use cases as the largest video gaming platform in the world. It makes it easy for gamers to play, buy, and share games.

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Send Steam gift cards anywhere.

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You can buy games, products, software and hardware. Purchasing these items can be easily done from your home with a Steam gift card. 

You can choose between several denominations between $5 to $100 dollars. Once you find the best fit, you can use your funds to make purchases online. 

Uses of Steam Gift Card  

The following are what Steam gift cards are used for: 

  1. Library of games on the Steam platform. 
  1. As a gift for a friend or a loved one. 
  1. Buying gaming hardware. 
  1. Getting a digital software. 
  1. Premium access to connect with millions of gamers. 
  1. Converting Steam gift card to cash. 
  1. Getting DLCs for popular games. 

Activate Your Steam Gift Card 

It is necessary to redeem your steam gift card if you want to activate it. Once you have redeemed the gift card, you’ll be able to view balance transferred to your steam gift card. You can pay for your desired item using the wallet.

How to Buy Games on the Steam Store Using Your Steam Gift Card Credit? 

You can buy games on Steam by using the credits you redeemed earlier. Buying games on Steam is straight forward, here’s how: 

  • Open Steam and search for the games you are looking for. 
  • When found click “Add to Cart” to select the game you want to purchase. 
  • At checkout, your gift card balance will already be applied to your purchase. 
  • If you have the whole payment in full, then complete the purchase. 
  • If not, then add a different payment method used by Steam. 

That’s how you complete the purchase of a game on Steam. Learn to fix issues if your Steam gift card isn’t working.

What Can You Buy with a Steam Gift Card? 

If you are wondering what items can be purchased using the Steam gift card credits?

what can you buy with steam gift card

Here’s a list: 

  1. You can purchase games and their bundles. 
  1. Use it to purchase downloadable content (DLC). 
  1. You can make in-game purchases for games like DOTA 2 and CS: GO. 
  1. Animation tool and design programs. 
  1. Hardware like the Steam Deck, controllers, and other accessories. 

How to Send a Steam Gift Card as a Gift? 

Use the following steps to send a Steam gift card to a friend: 

  1. Log in to Steam. 
  1. Select the friend’s profile and continue. 
  1. You can also add an optional message. 
  1. Enter the payment information. 
  1. Complete the purchase. 

The gift will be sent by Steam to your friend.

Can you Send a Steam Gift Card without an Account? 

Steam does not allow you to send a gift card without a guest account. However, if you don’t want to make a Steam account you can always purchase a gift card from your local store and mail that to a friend.  

Can you Send a Steam Gift Card to Different Region?

You cannot send a Steam gift card bought in one region to another. This is because Steam gift cards are region-locked, which means they cannot be used outside that region. 

You must check the regional restrictions before sending a Steam gift card. An alternative to this could be to find gift cards that work in your friend’s region and send that gift card by mail. 

Wrapping It Up 

To sum it up, the Steam gift card would be a simple way to obtain games, as well as the DLCs or hardware, straight from the marketplace. It won’t matter with whom you will spend; using Steam gift cards makes your transactions smooth and very flexible. 

You must check for regional restrictions on the gift card before sending it to a loved one outside your region. When used effectively, the gift card can be an excellent way to add substance to your gaming experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Digits are in a Steam Gift Card Code?

The Steam gift card consists of a 15-digit alphanumeric code.

Does Steam Helps if You Get Scammed?

If you lose your account to a scam, you can recover it at Steam Support. Steam Support is there to help you with issues other than account recovery.

Is Steam Safe to Use Online?

The Steam platform is secure to use online. It has state of the art security measures including 2-factor authentication and SSL-encryption. These measures help protect user data and transactions.


Senior Technical Writer
Carol Brooks is an experienced tech writer with a background in user experience design. She specializes in demystifying complex digital tools and platforms, making technology more accessible and user-friendly for a broad audience.