PEGI is the age rating system used for video games across most of Europe. A rated game shows two things: an age label and a set of icons that explain the reason for it. This is what each one means, according to PEGI’s own definitions.
The five age labels
- PEGI 3: suitable for all age groups. Nothing likely to frighten young children, only very mild comical violence and no bad language.
- PEGI 7: may include scenes or sounds that can frighten younger children, and very mild, non-realistic violence.
- PEGI 12: more graphic violence towards fantasy characters, or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters. Mild bad language and sexual innuendo are allowed.
- PEGI 16: violence or sexual activity that looks like real life, stronger language, and the possible presence of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs.
- PEGI 18: gross violence, apparently motiveless killing or violence towards defenceless characters, glamorised drug use, simulated gambling or explicit sexual activity.
The content icons
- Violence: from non-realistic at PEGI 7 to increasingly realistic at 16 and 18.
- Bad language: mild at PEGI 12, strong at PEGI 16.
- Fear or horror: content that may scare young children at PEGI 7, moderate horror at 12 and intense, sustained horror at 16.
- Gambling: prominent gambling themes mean PEGI 12; simulated casino-style games of chance mean PEGI 18.
- Sex: innuendo at PEGI 12, erotic nudity or non-explicit intercourse at 16, explicit sexual activity at 18.
- Drugs: references to or depictions of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Always PEGI 16 or 18.
- Discrimination: stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. Always PEGI 18.
Purchases and loot boxes
The in-game purchases icon appears on any game that offers digital goods or services for real money.
A second notice, paid random items, marks games where you pay without knowing what you will get: loot boxes, card packs and similar. Here there is a recent change: games submitted for rating since June 2026 that include paid random items receive PEGI 16, or PEGI 18 in the case of social casino games.
How to use it
The label is a quick filter and the icons are the explanation. Two PEGI 12 games can be very different: one may have the rating for fantasy violence and another for gambling themes. For anyone choosing a game for a child, the icons and the purchases notice say more than the number.
Frequently asked questions
What are the PEGI age ratings?
There are five: PEGI 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18. Each one indicates the minimum age the game's content is considered suitable for.
What does the in-game purchases icon mean?
That the game offers digital goods or services that are bought with real money. It appears whenever such purchases exist.
What rating do games with loot boxes get?
Games submitted to PEGI since June 2026 that sell paid random items are rated PEGI 16, or PEGI 18 if they are social casino games.
This article was written with AI assistance from the sources linked above.
