Video game ratings are decision aids: they suggest an age range and flag content or features parents may want to consider. In the United States, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) uses categories such as Everyone, Teen and Mature. Labels vary by country and storefront, and no rating guarantees that a game is right for every child or lists everything in it.
This guide focuses on ESRB ratings for U.S. parents and caregivers. If you are elsewhere, check the rating system shown in your region; labels from different systems are not automatically interchangeable.
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What do video game age ratings mean?
An ESRB rating has three parts: a Rating Category, Content Descriptors and Interactive Elements. They answer different questions, so read them together rather than treating the age label as a full review.
- Rating Category: suggests the age group for which a game may be suitable.
- Content Descriptors: identify types of content that may have contributed to the category or may matter to parents. They are not a complete inventory.
- Interactive Elements: disclose features such as online interaction, purchases, location sharing or unrestricted internet access. These do not determine the age category.
ESRB explains that descriptors are applied relative to a game’s category and are not intended to list all content. Interactive Elements similarly flag features of interest or concern without influencing the rating assignment. See the ESRB Ratings Guide.
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What do ESRB’s age categories mean?
The categories below are ESRB’s suggested suitability thresholds, not a promise that every child at or above the named age will be ready for or enjoy a particular game. Content and a child’s maturity and sensitivities still matter.
| ESRB category | General age guidance |
|---|---|
| Everyone | Generally suitable for all ages |
| Everyone 10+ | Generally suitable for ages 10 and up |
| Teen | Generally suitable for ages 13 and up |
| Mature 17+ | Generally suitable for ages 17 and up |
| Adults Only 18+ | For adults 18 and older |
For current category explanations and examples, consult the ESRB guide; content descriptions can change over time.
What does E10+ mean?
E10+ is short for Everyone 10+. ESRB describes it as generally suitable for ages 10 and up. It is a suggested suitability threshold, not a guarantee that a particular game is appropriate for every 10-year-old. Check its Content Descriptors and, if available, its Rating Summary for specifics.
Are video game ratings the same in every country?
No. ESRB is the U.S. example; other regions use their own authorities and labels. The IARC ratings definitions page lists systems including PEGI and Australian classifications. Do not convert a label or number from one system into another as if the scales were identical.
For example, Australia’s classification information distinguishes M, recommended for people aged 15 and over without a legal age restriction, from MA 15+, which is legally restricted to people aged 15 and over, subject to an adult-accompaniment exception for younger children. That difference shows why a number alone does not tell you the legal status or meaning of a label elsewhere.
For participating storefronts and regions, the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) provides a streamlined process for digital games and apps, representing participating rating authorities’ regional systems. The rating shown depends on the relevant region and storefront.
Where do I find out what’s actually in a game?
Start with the product listing: check the front and back of a boxed game, or the digital storefront page before buying or installing. Read the category alongside the descriptors and look separately for Interactive Elements.
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- Search the title in the ESRB ratings lookup.
- Open the Rating Summary if one is available; it can provide fuller content descriptions and context.
- If you still have a family-specific question, consult a trustworthy review or gameplay footage before deciding.
ESRB says Rating Summaries for many physical games can be found through its title search or free mobile app. Digital games and apps rated through the IARC process do not receive ESRB Rating Summaries through that digital process, so availability of added detail can vary.
Does a rating tell me if a game has online chat or loot boxes?
Check Interactive Elements, which are separate from the age category. Relevant notices can include Users Interact, In-Game Purchases, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Shares Location and Unrestricted Internet. These flag features but do not change the rating assignment.
Such a notice is a prompt to consider how the feature fits your household, not a complete description of how it works. Check the storefront or game information for details, and use device settings or household rules where appropriate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How are ESRB ratings assigned?
Physical retail games
ESRB says publishers submit a content questionnaire and video footage showing typical gameplay, missions, cutscenes and the most extreme content. At least three trained raters review the footage and recommend a category, descriptors and Interactive Elements. The recommendation is evaluated and confirmed. A publisher may accept the rating or revise the game and resubmit it. ESRB says it may play-test a game after release to verify that its content disclosure was complete.
Digital games and apps
For digital games, developers complete a questionnaire through the IARC-developed process before release. The process assigns a category, descriptors and Interactive Elements for participating storefronts and regions. ESRB says ratings may be monitored and tested after release and adjusted when necessary.
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Downloadable content
In most cases, ESRB says the base game’s rating applies to downloadable content (DLC). If DLC exceeds the core product’s rating, it must be submitted and may receive a different rating. Check the specific add-on listing rather than assuming the base-game label covers every addition.
More detail is available on the ESRB ratings process page.
How can parents use ratings and parental controls?
Use ratings as one input in a decision about a specific child and game. The ESRB parent tools page offers guidance on finding ratings and using parental controls. Device controls can help set limits on rating access, play time, purchases and internet use; exact options and setup steps depend on the device.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Talk with your child about what content or online interactions are acceptable in your household.
- Set household rules for play time and spending, including whether purchases require permission.
- Use the device maker’s current instructions to configure available age-rating, time, purchase and internet restrictions.
ESRB says 83% of parents whose children play video games were aware of ESRB ratings, and 77% regularly checked them before buying a game, according to Hart Research Associates in 2025, as credited by ESRB. These figures describe parents with children who play games, not all parents.
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