Raising PEGI ratings explained: PEGI 3, 7, 12, 16, and 18
PEGI ratings are the age ratings for video games in 38 European countries, including the UK. PEGI 3 is suitable for all ages, PEGI 7 may have scenes or sounds that can frighten younger children, PEGI 12 allows slightly more graphic fantasy violence, PEGI 16 realistic violence and stronger language, and PEGI 18 gross violence. Since June 2026, some purchase and chat features also raise the rating.
PEGI ratings at a glance
| PEGI 3 | Suitable for all age groups; no sounds or pictures likely to frighten young children source |
|---|---|
| PEGI 7 | Scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children; very mild violence |
| PEGI 12 | Slightly more graphic violence toward fantasy characters, or non-realistic violence toward human-like characters; mild bad language |
| PEGI 16 | Violence or sexual activity that looks as it would in real life; stronger language, drugs |
| PEGI 18 | Gross violence, motiveless killing, explicit sex, simulated gambling |
| Used in | 38 European countries source |
Checked October 2026. Official wording from the rating board; rules can differ by country.
What do the PEGI ratings mean?
Short answer: Age guidance for video games, from PEGI 3 for all ages to PEGI 18 for adults.
- PEGI 3: suitable for all age groups; no sounds or pictures likely to frighten young children; only very mild, comical violence; no bad language.
- PEGI 7: scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children; only very mild violence.
- PEGI 12: violence of a slightly more graphic nature toward fantasy characters; sexual innuendo; only mild bad language.
- PEGI 16: violence or sexual activity that looks as it would in real life; stronger language; tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
- PEGI 18: gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, explicit sexual activity, simulated gambling.
- PEGI ! (Parental Guidance Recommended): for some non-game apps with a broad variety of user content, such as YouTube.
PEGI says it rates age suitability, not difficulty.
The June 2026 changes: purchases, chat, and daily rewards
According to PEGI, games are now also rated for some interactive features, not only content:
- Paid random items (loot boxes, card packs): PEGI 16, or PEGI 18 for social casino games.
- Time-limited offers that create urgency: PEGI 12, or PEGI 7 if spending is off by default in built-in parental controls.
- Pressure to play (daily quests, log-in streaks): PEGI 7; PEGI 12 if players lose rewards for not returning in time.
- Unrestricted communication with no blocking, muting, or moderation: PEGI 18.
- Cryptocurrency (NFTs or similar assets required to play, tradable, or central to gameplay): PEGI 18.
These rules apply to games submitted since June 2026.
PEGI descriptors
Next to the number, PEGI shows descriptors: Violence, Bad Language, Fear/Horror, Gambling, Sex, Drugs, Discrimination, and In-Game Purchases. Since June 2026, PEGI also lists interactive-risk descriptors: Paid Random Items, Time-Limited Offers, Pressure to Play, Unrestricted Communication, and Cryptocurrency. Fear appears on PEGI 7 games with pictures or sounds that may scare young children.
PEGI vs. ESRB
North America uses the ESRB instead: E, E10+, T, M, and AO. The same game can get different ratings: in our parent guides, Minecraft is PEGI 7 and ESRB E10+; Fortnite is PEGI 12 and ESRB T; Roblox is PEGI "Parental Guidance Recommended" and ESRB T. See ESRB ratings explained.
Games in our parent guides
Minecraft
Minecraft age rating explained for parents of 4- to 7-year-olds: ratings by country, online play and chat, purchases, child-account defaults, and the movie.
Among Us
Among Us age rating explained for parents of 4- to 7-year-olds: ratings by country, preset-phrase chat for under-13s, the parent portal, and why kids say "sus."
Fortnite
Fortnite age rating explained for parents of kids 4–7: ratings by country, the FTC settlement, limited accounts for under-13s, and parental controls.
Roblox
Is Roblox safe for kids? The facts for parents of 4- to 7-year-olds: the ESRB rating, the risks, state lawsuits, Roblox Kids accounts, and what research says.
Poppy Playtime
Poppy Playtime age rating explained: T for Teen in the US, 12 to 16 in Europe. What's in the horror game, Huggy Wuggy warnings, and why young kids know it.
FAQ
What does PEGI stand for?
Pan European Game Information.
What does PEGI 12 mean?
Slightly more graphic violence toward fantasy characters or non-realistic violence toward human-like characters, sexual innuendo, and only mild bad language.
What does PEGI 7 mean?
Scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children, and very mild, non-realistic violence.
Do loot boxes change the PEGI rating?
Yes, for games submitted since June 2026: paid random items mean PEGI 16, or 18 for social casino games.
More age ratings explained
ESRB ratings
E, E10+, T, M, AO: the video game ratings, plus the boxes about chat and purchases.
TV-Y, TV-Y7, and TV-G
The kids' TV ratings: TV-Y for ages 2–6, TV-Y7 and FV, and TV-G.
PG
Parental guidance suggested: what PG means, and why a PG movie can still be scary.
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