What do the labels mean?

The PEGI age labels

PEGI 3

The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.

PEGI 7

Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.

PEGI 12

Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual innuendo or sexual posturing can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.

PEGI 16

This rating is applied once the depiction of violence (or sexual activity) reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.

PEGI 18

The adult classification is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs and of the simulation of gambling, and explicit sexual activity should also fall into this age category. 

PEGI !

In addition to the numerical PEGI ratings, you will also see the "Parental Guidance Recommended" rating for some non-game apps, introduced by PEGI for storefronts that use IARC. This serves as a warning that these apps can offer a broad variety of user generated or curated content. Typically, this applies to products such as Facebook, Spotify, or YouTube.  

The PEGI descriptors

To explain why a certain age rating was given to a game, PEGI uses a set of descriptor icons and descriptors texts. These descriptors list which content elements and/or interactive risks are present in a particular game.

Content descriptors

VIOLENCE

The game contains depictions of violence. In games rated PEGI 7 this can only be non-realistic or non-detailed violence. Games rated PEGI 12 can include violence in a fantasy environment or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters, whereas games rated PEGI 16 or 18 have increasingly more realistic-looking violence.​

BAD LANGUAGE

The game contains bad language. This descriptor can be found on games with a PEGI 12 (mild swearing) or PEGI 16 (strong language).

FEAR / HORROR

This descriptor may appear as 'Fear' on games with a PEGI 7 if it contains pictures or sounds that may be frightening or scary to young children, or as 'Horror' on higher-rated games that contain moderate (PEGI 12) or intense and sustained (PEGI 16) horror sequences or disturbing images (not necessarily including violent content).

GAMBLING

If a game contains themes that prominently reference gambling, it gets a PEGI 12. Simulation of gambling, like games of chance that are normally carried out in casinos or gambling halls, will be classified with a PEGI 18. 

SEX

This content descriptor can accompany a PEGI 12 rating if the game includes sexual posturing or innuendo, a PEGI 16 rating if there is erotic nudity or sexual intercourse without visible genitals or a PEGI 18 rating if there is explicit sexual activity in the game. Depictions of nudity in a non-sexual context do not require a specific age rating, and this descriptor would not be necessary.

DRUGS

The game refers to or depicts the use of illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Games with this content descriptor are always PEGI 16 or PEGI 18.

DISCRIMINATION

The game contains depictions of ethnic, religious, nationalistic or other stereotypes likely to encourage hatred. This content is always restricted to a PEGI 18 rating (and likely to infringe national criminal laws).

Interactive risk descriptors

IN-GAME PURCHASES

The game offers players the option to purchase digital goods or services with real-world currency. Such purchases include additional content (bonus levels, outfits, surprise items, music), but also upgrades (e.g. to disable ads), subscriptions to updates, virtual coins and other forms of in-game currency. This content descriptor always appears when in-game content can be purchased. Since June 2026, certain specific features related to in-game purchases have an influence on the age rating. This is added to the PEGI information as a text descriptor:

•  Paid random items

This text descriptor appears if the in-game purchases include random items (like loot boxes or card packs). Paid random items comprise all in-game offers where players don't know exactly what they are getting prior to the purchase. They can be purchased directly with real money and/or exchanged for an in-game virtual currency. Depending on the game, these items may be purely cosmetic, or they may have functional value. Video games with paid random items that are submitted to PEGI since June 2026, will be PEGI 16 or PEGI 18 (for social casino games).

• Time-limited offers

If purchases of in‑game content are only available for a limited period of time or in limited quantities, creating a sense of urgency, the game will be be rated PEGI 12. If the game has built-in parental control tools with spending turnd off by default, it can be a PEGI 7.

• Cryptocurrency

A game where the purchasing of in‑game content involves NFTs or similar digital assets related to cryptocurrency that are required to play, are tradable, or form a central part of the gameplay experience. This type of feature will be rated PEGI 18.

PRESSURE TO PLAY

This text descriptor appears when a game includes a play-by-appointment mechanic that offers periodic rewards to players for consistently revisiting the game. These systems may include daily quests, log-in streak or event‑based rewards that expire after a while. Since June 2026, these features will be rated PEGI 7. If players are punished by losing rewards or game status when they do not return in time, the game will be classified as PEGI 12.

UNRESTRICTED COMMUNICATION

Most games with communication features (voice or text chat) have built-in safeguards to ensure online safety. When it is not possible to block or mute communication, and moderation is absent as well, players may be exposed to unfiltered interactions with others. Since June 2026, a game with unrestricted communication features is rated PEGI 18.