Explained › Ratings
Ratings explained: what every rating means, on every platform
- A rating judges the content the studio made, not online chat or other players. ESRB says online interactions don't change the rating.
- Rough match: ESRB E10+ ≈ PEGI 7–12 ≈ Apple 9+; T ≈ PEGI 12–16 ≈ Apple 13+ ≈ TV-14 ≈ PG-13. See the crosswalk below.
- Setting an age limit on the console or phone blocks games and apps above it, but chat, purchases and creator-made content each need their own settings.
Crosswalk: how ratings line up
Approximate. The systems use different criteria, so this is a starting point, not an exact equivalence.
| Age band | ESRB | PEGI / IARC | Apple | TV | MPA | Roblox | Netflix (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All / young kids | E | 3 | 4+ | TV-Y, TV-G | G | Minimal | All |
| About 7–9 | E | 7 | 4+ / 9+ | TV-Y7 | PG | Mild | 7+ |
| About 10–12 | E10+ | 12 | 9+ | TV-PG | PG | Moderate (some 16+ only) | 7+ / 13+ |
| 13–15 | T | 12 / 16 | 13+ | TV-14 | PG-13 | Moderate | 13+ |
| 16–17 | M | 16 | 16+ | TV-MA | R | Content May Vary (16+) | 16+ |
| 18+ | AO | 18 | 18+ | TV-MA | NC-17 | Restricted (18+) | 18+ |
Rating systems
ESRB (US, Canada, Mexico games)
E · E10+ · T · M · AO · RPPEGI (Europe & UK games)
PEGI 3 · PEGI 7 · PEGI 12 · PEGI 16 · PEGI 18 · PEGI ! (Parental Guidance Recommended)IARC (digital stores worldwide)
Generic IARC "Rated for" 3+ / 7+ / 12+ / 16+ / 18+ · Local label via IARCTV Parental Guidelines (US TV & streaming)
TV-Y · TV-Y7 · TV-G · TV-PG · TV-14 · TV-MAMPA film ratings (US movies)
G · PG · PG-13 · R · NC-17How each platform uses ratings
Consoles & PC stores
Xbox & Microsoft Store · PlayStation (PS5/PS4) · Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 & eShop · Steam (Valve) · Epic Games StorePhone app stores
Apple App Store (iPhone, iPad, Mac) · Google Play (Android)Inside games (Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft)
Roblox experiences · Fortnite islands · Minecraft & MarketplaceStreaming services
Netflix · Disney+ · YouTube & YouTube Kids · Prime Video · HBO Max · CrunchyrollSocial apps (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat)
TikTok · Instagram · SnapchatCommon questions
Does an E or E10+ rating mean a game is safe to chat in?
No. ESRB ratings judge the content the studio made. ESRB says online interactions and purchases do not change the rating; they appear as interactive elements like "Users Interact".
What do ESRB "In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)" mean?
The game sells items with random contents, like loot boxes or card packs, for real money or for currency bought with real money.
What are the new Apple App Store age ratings?
4+, 9+, 13+, 16+ and 18+. Apple added 13+, 16+ and 18+ in 2025; they appear on iOS 26 and later.
Is PEGI 12 the same as ESRB T?
Roughly, but not exactly. ESRB T is 13+ and PEGI 12 is 12+, and the two use different criteria. Since June 2026, PEGI can also raise ratings for paid random items and unrestricted chat.
What do Roblox Minimal, Mild, Moderate and Restricted mean?
They are Roblox's maturity labels for each game. Minimal and Mild are eligible for Roblox Kids and Select accounts. Moderate games with social hangouts are 16+. Restricted games are only for age-checked users 18+.
Does Steam block games by age rating?
No. Steam Families has no automatic rating filter. You choose which games each child can play.