Gifting a video game is one of the easiest ways to surprise a friend, celebrate a special occasion, or simply share an experience you love. If your friend spends time on Steam, Valve’s popular PC gaming platform, you’re in luck—Steam makes it possible to purchase and send games directly to someone’s account. While the process is fairly straightforward, beginners can sometimes feel overwhelmed navigating accounts, payment methods, and delivery options. This guide will walk you through the entire process step by step so you can confidently gift a Steam game without confusion.
TLDR: Gifting a Steam game is simple once you understand the steps. Add the game to your cart, select the “Purchase as a gift” option, choose a friend from your list, include a personalized message, and complete the payment. Your friend will receive a notification and can accept the gift instantly. Follow the seven-step walkthrough below to avoid common mistakes and ensure smooth delivery.
What You Need Before Gifting a Game
Before diving into the step-by-step walkthrough, make sure you have the following ready:
- An active Steam account
- The recipient added to your Steam Friends list
- A valid payment method (credit card, PayPal, or Steam Wallet funds)
- Confirmation that the game is available in your friend’s region
Steam has regional pricing and restrictions, so availability can vary. Ensuring compatibility ahead of time prevents gifting errors or declined purchases.
Step 1: Log Into Your Steam Account
Start by opening the Steam desktop app or visiting the official Steam website in your browser. Click on the “Login” button and enter your credentials.
If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to create one first. Luckily, registration is free and only takes a few minutes.
Tip: For the smoothest experience, use the desktop client. While gifting works in a browser, the app is often more stable.
Step 2: Find the Game You Want to Gift
Once logged in, use the search bar at the top of the store page to locate the game you’d like to send. You can search by title, genre, or developer.
When you land on the game’s store page, take a moment to review important details:
- System requirements
- Supported languages
- Game editions (Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, etc.)
- User reviews
Make sure your friend doesn’t already own the game. Steam usually prevents gifting duplicates, but it’s good practice to double-check.
Step 3: Add the Game to Your Cart
Click the green “Add to Cart” button on the game’s store page. Once added, Steam will redirect you to your shopping cart.
Here’s where beginners often get confused. Steam immediately presents two purchase options:
- Purchase for myself
- Purchase as a gift
Select “Purchase as a gift.” This tells Steam you want to send the game to someone else rather than add it to your own library.
Step 4: Choose the Recipient
After selecting “Purchase as a gift,” Steam will display your Friends list. Choose the person you’d like to send the game to.
If you don’t see your friend listed:
- Make sure they’ve accepted your friend request.
- Confirm you are both in compatible regions.
- Check if your account has any gifting restrictions.
Steam requires that you be friends with someone before sending them a gift. In some cases, you may need to wait a short period after becoming friends before gifting is enabled.
Image not found in postmetaStep 5: Add a Personal Message
This is where you can make your gift special. Steam allows you to include a personalized message along with the game.
You’ll be prompted to enter:
- The recipient’s name
- Your name
- A short message
- An optional delivery date
If you’re sending the gift for a birthday, holiday, or special event, you can schedule delivery in advance. The recipient will receive a notification on the chosen date.
Example message:
“Hey Alex! I know you’ve been wanting to try this game. Thought we could play together this weekend. Enjoy!”
Keeping it personal makes the gift feel thoughtful rather than transactional.
Step 6: Complete the Payment
After confirming the recipient and message, click “Continue to Payment.” You’ll be guided to choose a payment method.
Common options include:
- Credit or debit card
- PayPal
- Steam Wallet balance
- Other regional payment options
Review the total carefully. Depending on tax and regional pricing differences, the final amount may vary slightly from the store page listing.
Once you confirm payment, Steam will process the transaction and send the gift notification immediately (unless you scheduled it for later).
Image not found in postmetaStep 7: Confirm Delivery and Acceptance
After purchase, your friend will receive a notification via:
- Steam desktop notification
- Email (linked to their Steam account)
- Mobile app notification (if enabled)
The recipient can choose to:
- Accept the gift (adds it to their library instantly)
- Decline the gift (you’ll automatically receive a refund)
Once accepted, the game appears in their Steam Library and is ready to download.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
Even though gifting is straightforward, certain problems can arise. Here are some of the most common ones and how to prevent them.
1. Regional Restrictions
If the game is priced very differently between regions, Steam may block the gift to prevent abuse. Always verify that the game is available in both your region and your friend’s.
2. Duplicate Ownership
Steam will not allow someone to redeem a copy of a game they already own. If unsure, ask subtly or check shared libraries.
3. Insufficient Funds
Ensure your payment method has enough balance, especially during large seasonal sales when multiple purchases add up.
4. Account Restrictions
New accounts or accounts with suspicious activity may have gifting limitations. Maintaining a good account standing is important.
When Is the Best Time to Gift a Steam Game?
While you can gift at any time, certain moments make the experience even better:
- Steam seasonal sales (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)
- Friend’s birthday
- Game launch day
- Special achievements or celebrations
Steam sales can offer massive discounts—sometimes up to 90% off—making it affordable to gift high-quality titles.
Can You Refund a Gifted Game?
Yes—but with conditions.
- The recipient must initiate the refund request.
- The game must have less than 2 hours of playtime.
- The refund must be requested within 14 days of acceptance.
If approved, the money returns to the original purchaser.
Alternative: Sending a Digital Gift Card
If you’re unsure which game your friend wants, consider sending a Steam Digital Gift Card instead. This allows them to choose their own game while still receiving your thoughtful gesture.
Digital gift cards can be purchased directly through Steam and delivered instantly to a friend’s account.
Why Gifting on Steam Is Worth It
Digital gifting eliminates shipping delays, packaging waste, and store visits. It’s immediate, convenient, and perfect for long-distance friendships.
Many gamers enjoy:
- Co-op multiplayer experiences
- Competing in online battles
- Exploring open worlds together
By gifting a game, you’re not just giving entertainment—you’re creating a shared experience.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to gift a Steam game may seem intimidating at first, but it becomes second nature once you understand the process. In just seven simple steps—log in, find the game, add to cart, select “Purchase as a gift,” choose your friend, personalize the message, and complete payment—you can surprise someone with a digital present in minutes.
Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or spontaneous surprise, Steam gifting is one of the easiest ways to brighten a fellow gamer’s day. Follow this beginner-friendly walkthrough, avoid common pitfalls, and you’ll be sending digital smiles in no time.
Now that you know how it works, who will you surprise first?