To make a subreddit (Reddit now calls these spaces “communities” in its help pages), you choose a name, write a description, pick up to three topics, select a community type, and press create. The form takes a few minutes. The decisions behind it matter more: the name can’t be changed later, and the access settings determine who can see and join the space. You become its top moderator the moment it exists, so the setup is also your first moderation job.
Decide what the community is for before you start
Write one or two sentences that state who the community is for and what they will do there. If you cannot describe the purpose that briefly, the community will probably struggle to attract members or keep its focus.
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Then search Reddit for an active community with the same purpose. If one already exists and is well run, joining it and contributing may serve your goal better than starting a second one. A new community is easier to justify when it serves a distinct need: a different audience, a narrower topic, a stricter standard for discussion, or a group that needs private or approval-based access.
Choose a name you can live with
Reddit’s guidance says a community name must be 3 to 21 characters long. The name cannot be edited after creation, and that includes capitalization, so a name written as ReadingGroup cannot later be changed to readinggroup or Reading Group. Check spelling and capitalization carefully before you submit. Reddit’s pre-creation guidance also states that communities cannot be deleted, so treat the name as permanent.
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Create the community on desktop or mobile
The steps below follow Reddit Help’s creation instructions (last updated October 5, 2026). Reddit’s interface changes from time to time, so if a label looks different on your screen, look for the same action in the same part of the menu.
On Reddit.com
- Log in and select Create Community in the left sidebar.
- Enter the community name and a description.
- Choose up to three topics that describe the community.
- Select the community type (Public, Restricted, or Private, as described below).
- Set the Mature (18+) option if the content calls for it.
- Create the community.
In the Reddit mobile app
- Open the community drawer.
- Choose Start a Community.
- Complete the same fields: name, description, up to three topics, community type, and the 18+ setting if it applies.
- Create the community.
Pick the community type that fits the purpose
Community type decides three things: who can see the space, who can post or comment, and how much control moderators have over entry. Compare the options in the table below.
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| Type | Who can see it | Who can post or comment | Moderator control over entry or participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public | Anyone | Broad participation by default | Lowest; rules and moderation handle behavior after people join |
| Restricted | Anyone, so the community stays visible | Moderators control who can post and/or comment | Middle; visibility stays open while participation is selected |
| Private | Limited to approved members | Limited to approved members | Highest; access requires approval |
A Public community suits open discussion where a large audience is the goal. A Restricted community suits a space you want people to find but not freely write in, such as a community that accepts posts from verified contributors. A Private community suits a small group, a support circle, or a team where confidentiality matters more than reach.
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Set discovery settings separately
Discovery is a separate decision from community type. Reddit provides settings that control whether a community can appear in feeds and recommendations. A community meant to stay small or invitation-based may prefer limited exposure. A community that needs new members may opt into broader discovery. Neither choice guarantees growth, and the settings should follow the purpose you wrote down at the start.
Write the description and rules
The description is the first thing a visitor reads to decide whether to stay, so state the purpose and the kind of posts you want in plain language. A short line about who should not post is often as useful as a list of permitted topics.
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Community-specific rules sit on top of Reddit-wide rules, which still apply in your community. Write your own rules to cover the situations you expect: off-topic posts, self-promotion, personal attacks, spam, and how disputes are handled. Keep each rule short and specific, and make sure new members can find them easily.
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Understand what moderation means from day one
Reddit Help’s moderator guidance states: “When you create a community, you automatically become the top moderator of that community.” The page attributes this to Reddit Help and does not name an individual author.
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That role carries responsibility. Before you invite anyone or share the link, decide how you will handle the first wave of posts and reports. Many creators find it useful to recruit one or two trusted moderators early, and to agree in advance on the rules each of you will enforce. Reddit’s moderation guidance is the place to learn the tools available to moderators.
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Common problems and what to do
- You made a typo in the name. The name cannot be edited, and communities cannot be deleted according to Reddit’s pre-creation guidance. Plan on living with it, or start a new community with a correct name and direct people there.
- Your chosen name is taken or rejected. Try a variation that stays within the 3 to 21 character limit, and keep the wording easy to read.
- The community is not showing up in feeds. Check the discovery settings. Visibility is a deliberate choice, so an unlisted community will not appear in recommendations until you change it.
- You are unsure whether a setting is available. Interface options vary by account and platform, so confirm the current option in your own app or on Reddit.com before relying on it.
Checklist before you press Create
- A one- or two-sentence statement of purpose and audience
- A search for existing active communities with the same purpose
- A name between 3 and 21 characters, checked for spelling and capitalization
- A description and up to three topics
- A community type matched to who should see and post
- The Mature (18+) setting, if the content calls for it
- Discovery settings that fit whether you want growth or a small group
- Draft community rules and a plan for moderation
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