what are steam gift cards used for

Steam is an online gaming platform that you can enjoy on Windows, Mac, and Android. Steam is owned by Value, which had a net worth of $7.7 billion in 2022. Steam gift cards significantly contribute to this. If you are wondering, why would one use a Steam gift card? 

There are many use cases for Steam gift cards. You will get an in-depth look at the use cases and more. However, in order to use a Steam gift card, you first need to redeem a Steam gift card. Once redeemed, you can proceed to use the gift card. 

In this article you will get to know: 

  • 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? 

Feeling Intrigued? Let’s start without further ado.  

How to Use a Steam Gift Card Online?  

The Steam gift card can be used to add credit to your Steam Wallet. Once in the Wallet, the credit can be used to purchase games, downloadable content (DLC), in-game, and even hardware like Steam Deck.

hero background

Send Steam gift cards anywhere.

97% of gift cards sent with Send Credit arrive in less than 3 seconds.

steam gift card mockup

These gift cards can also be used for gifting as it is an easy way to top up your Steam account without using a credit card. To use a Steam gift card online after it has been redeemed, you need to use the following steps: 

  1. Visit the Steam Store to browse through available games. 
  1. Once you find a product of your choice click, “Add to Cart.” 
  1. At checkout select for whom the product is for (self or someone else as a gift). 
  1. If your Steam gift card credit covers the cost of the product, it will be applied automatically. 
  1. In the event of insufficient balance, you will have to pay using a different payment method. 
  1. Finally, review your order, payment methods, and details to complete the purchase.  

Activate Your Steam Gift Card 

To activate the Steam gift card, it is paramount to redeem your Steam gift card. When you redeem the gift card, you will be able to see the balance transferred to your Steam gift card. From your Wallet you can easily pay for any item on the Steam Store. 

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

After you update your gift card balance you can use the credits to buy Games on the Steam Store. Buying games on Steam is straight forward: 

  • 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. 

Basically, you can use the Steam gift card to buy items that add to your gaming experience. 

How to Send a Steam Gift Card as a Gift? 

You can send your Steam gift card as a gift to a friend or a loved one. In this section, we will provide you with the details on the methods that you can use to send the Steam gift card to a friend. 

Can you Send a Steam Gift Card without an Account? 

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

If you use the Steam account, you just need to login to the account. Select the amount you want to send as a gift card to the recipient. Complete the process by adding the recipients email address or their Steam username.  

Can you Send a Steam Gift Card to Different Region? 

No, you cannot send a Steam gift card bought in one region to a different one. The reason for this is that Steam gift cards are region-locked. If a gift card is region-locked, then it cannot be used outside a specific region.  

You must check the regional restrictions before sending a Steam gift card to a friend. 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 up, the Steam gift card is a convenient way to purchase games, DLCs, hardware, and more on the platform. It does not matter for whom you are spending, Steam gift cards make your purchases smooth and flexible.  

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

Do you want to buy a Steam gift card? Send Credit is there to make things easy for you. You can also choose from various gift card options in the Gaming section on the platform.  

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.