PEGI RATINGS

Understand what PEGI ratings are and how they help you make informed choices

The 5 PEGI ratings

Just like films, all games must have an age rating, these are called PEGI ratings. PEGI ratings help you to understand what a game contains and who it is appropriate for so you can make informed choices about the games you let your children play.

PEGI 3

The majority of games rated PEGI 3 do not contain issues that require a content warning. Games given this rating are considered suitable for all age groups.
There may be very mild and unrealistic violence in a child-like setting. There may also be nudity when shown in a completely natural and non-sexual manner, for example during breastfeeding.
Games rated at PEGI 3 may also contain in-game purchases. If a game contains such purchases, this will be indicated by an icon on the box

PEGI 7

Games rated PEGI 7 may contain unrealistic violence, often directed towards fantasy characters. Violence towards human characters will be unrealistic and undetailed, of a minor nature, or only implied. For example, a city being bombed or cars crashing, where the violence to humans is not actually shown.
Games may also be rated PEGI 7 because they contain elements, including sights or sounds, that might be scary or frightening to younger children.
Games rated at PEGI 7 may also contain in-game purchases. If a game contains such purchases, this will be indicated by an icon on the box.

PEGI 12

Games rated PEGI 12 may contain more detailed and realistic-looking violence towards fantasy characters. However, while there may be moderate violence towards human characters, there must not be any sight of blood or injuries, or an emphasis on pain, during violence towards humans. There may be moderate horror sequences, such as characters in danger and jump scares, as well as disturbing images, such as sight of injuries or dead bodies, provided these are not too gory or graphic.
Milder forms of swearing may be present but not the strongest terms.
While sex may not be shown, there may be sexual innuendo and sexual activity can be implied (e.g. a couple getting into bed). The type of suggestive posing and dancing that’s familiar from music videos may also be allowed, although there will be no sexual nudity.
Games rated at PEGI 12 may also contain in-game purchases. If a game contains such purchases, this will be indicated by an icon on the box.

PEGI 16

Games rated PEGI 16 may contain more realistic and sustained violence against human characters, including sight of blood and injuries. The stronger forms of violence, such as torture and a focus on pain and injury, will not normally be allowed unless they are against fantasy characters. Games at this level will not necessarily show any negative consequences to crime. There may also be intense and sustained horror sequences or strong gory images.
Strong language can occur, including the crudest sexual expletives.
Sexual activity may be shown provided there is no sight of genitals. Depictions of erotic nudity may feature.
There may be depictions of the use of illegal drugs, as well as prominent use of tobacco and alcohol.
Games rated at PEGI 16 may also contain in-game purchases. If a game contains such purchases, this will be indicated by an icon on the box.

PEGI 18

Games rated PEGI 18 can contain very strong content and are only suitable for adults. This could include torture and the infliction of severe pain and injury to human characters. It could also include violence towards defenceless or vulnerable human characters, including children. Sexual violence and sexual threats may also occur.
Very strong and crude language may feature throughout.
There may be strong depictions of sexual activity with sight of genitals.
Games rated PEGI 18 may also feature detailed descriptions of criminal techniques, as well as the teaching and glamorisation of gambling, and the glamorisation and promotion of illegal drug use.
Games rated at PEGI 18 may also contain in-game purchases. If a game contains such purchases, this will be indicated by an icon on the box.

Learn more about PEGI ratings

The Games Rating Authority was originally set up as the Video Standards Council, a standards body for the video and video games industries. Today the Games Rating Authority is an Administrator of the PEGI age rating system which is used in over 30 countries across Europe.

Find out more