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IARC ratings explained: every level and descriptor
✅ Last verified: Oct 14, 2026 against official sources linked below.
Quick answer
- The International Age Rating Coalition gives digital games and apps a rating from one developer questionnaire, then shows the local system's label for each country.
- Levels: Generic IARC "Rated for" 3+ / 7+ / 12+ / 16+ / 18+, Local label via IARC.
- Ratings cover what's on screen, not online chat or ads.
The International Age Rating Coalition gives digital games and apps a rating from one developer questionnaire, then shows the local system's label for each country. In North and South America that's usually the ESRB label; in Europe, PEGI. In regions without a local board, a generic age label is shown.
Every IARC level
| Rating | What it means | Typical content | Age context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic IARC "Rated for" 3+ / 7+ / 12+ / 16+ / 18+ | Used where no local board applies (Google Play shows these outside the Americas). | Mirrors PEGI-style age bands. | Use the age number as the minimum. |
| Local label via IARC | ESRB (Americas), PEGI (Europe) and other national boards. | Same meanings as that board's physical-game ratings. | See ESRB or PEGI pages. |
IARC ratings come from a self-reported questionnaire and can be corrected after release when issues are found. Google Play and Fortnite islands use IARC; check each store's help page for which system it shows in your country.
⚠️ Couldn't fully confirm: We could not open globalratings.com's full participant list from our tools; the store-by-store use of IARC above comes from Google Play and Epic's own help pages.
Official source: www.globalratings.com
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