Here is the first thing to know about how to make money on Steam: your Steam Wallet isn’t a bank account. Valve’s own agreement says Wallet funds have no cash value and can’t be exchanged for cash.
So when a video promises that you can “cash out” skins or Wallet credit, it’s talking about something Steam doesn’t offer. The honest route is different: you sell something to other players, usually a game, and Steam pays you through a bank account after identity and tax checks.
This guide is for you if you play on Steam and wonder whether you can turn that into income, and you want the rules before you spend a cent. I haven’t published a game or sold Steam items myself, so I won’t quote my own earnings.
What I did was read three Valve pages, Steam Direct, the Steam Subscriber Agreement and the Steam refund policy, plus the IRS rules for self-employed people, then work out what they mean in practice.
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Last updated: October 2026. Platform rules and fees change, so check each source before you act on a number.
Key Takeaways
- Steam Wallet funds can’t be cashed out. The Subscriber Agreement says they have no cash value and are not exchangeable for cash.
- Selling a game costs $100 per product. The Steam Direct page lists a $100 fee, which is non-refundable but recoupable once the product reaches at least $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue.
- It takes weeks, not days. Identity, bank and tax paperwork takes 15 to 30 days, and Valve applies a 30-day wait between paying the fee and releasing.
- Selling accounts is banned. The agreement calls an account strictly personal and says you may not sell it or charge others to use it.
- No source I read gives typical earnings. Treat any promised income as a guess.
Can You Really Make Money on Steam?
Yes, but only by selling something people want to buy, not by cashing out what you already own. The Steam Subscriber Agreement says Wallet funds can only be used to order subscriptions and hardware through Steam, can’t be transferred to others and have no value outside Steam. In other words, the Community Market can turn an item into Wallet credit, but not into dollars in your bank.
So how to make money on Steam really comes down to one main path, selling your own game, and a smaller one, trading items for credit you can spend on Steam. My read: the first is a business, and the second is a way to get games cheaper.
How to Make Money on Steam by Selling Your Own Game
You publish through Steam Direct, and Valve pays you out of sales. The Steam Direct page says each product needs a $100.00 fee, paid by any Steam-supported method except Steam Wallet. You also need identity verification with a legal ID, a bank account whose holder name matches that ID, and a tax questionnaire. The page says these steps take 15 to 30 days.
Once that’s done, Valve reviews your store page and build before anything goes live. The page says reviewers run the game, check the store page and confirm it works and does nothing harmful, which takes 1 to 5 days. For a first release, a 30-day waiting period applies between paying the fee and releasing, and your store page must show a public “coming soon” page for at least two weeks.
I haven’t found an official figure for what a typical Steam developer earns, and the Steam Direct page doesn’t state the revenue split. So I can’t tell you whether a game pays off. What I can tell you is the cost of trying.
What Does Steam Direct Cost and How Long Does It Take?
Here is the plan on the page, in order. These are the steps and numbers as Valve states them.
| Step | What Valve says | Cost or time |
|---|---|---|
| Pay the fee | One fee per product, not refundable | $100.00 |
| Identity, bank and tax paperwork | Legal ID, matching bank account, tax questionnaire | 15 to 30 days |
| Waiting period | Between paying the fee and releasing | 30 days |
| Coming soon page | Must be public before launch | At least 2 weeks |
| Valve review | Store page and build checked | 1 to 5 days |
Here is an illustration (an example, not a promise). If your first game earns less than $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue, the page doesn’t say you get the $100 back, so treat it as a cost. The page describes the fee as “not refundable, but will be recoupable” once a product reaches $1,000.
My reading is that you can get it back from later payments after that point, but check Valve’s exact wording before you rely on it.
Can You Make Money on Steam by Selling Items?
Only in a limited way. The Subscriber Agreement names the Steam Community Market and Steam Trading as marketplaces, and says Valve may charge fees disclosed before each transaction. It doesn’t state a fee amount or a percentage. It also says marketplace items are license rights, not owned property, and that transfers made outside Steam aren’t recognized.
The catch is what you receive: Wallet funds, not cash. So selling items on Steam is a way to fund your next game, and I wouldn’t count it as income. If you want income that pays out in real money, a game or another product is the way.
My guide to games that pay real money shows what actually pays in cash, and my guide to digital product ideas lists other things you can sell.
Can You Sell a Steam Account or Cash Out Wallet Funds?
No, and this is where people lose money. The agreement says your account is “strictly personal” and that you may not sell it, charge others to use it or transfer it. It also says subscriptions can’t be sold or transferred unless Valve expressly permits it. And Valve may restrict or terminate accounts for cheating, automation or other violations, without notice.
That’s my main warning for anyone searching how to make money on Steam: sites that offer cash for accounts, items or Wallet credit work outside what the agreement allows. I haven’t tested any of them, so I can’t say which are scams, but I’d stay away from all of them. If you’re also tempted by “play to earn” offers, my guide to Freecash shows how a reward site really pays.
How Do Refunds Affect What You Earn on Steam?
They can reduce your sales, which matters for how to make money on Steam as a seller. The Steam refund policy says games are generally refundable within 14 days of purchase if the buyer has played less than 2 hours. For pre-orders, refunds can be requested until release, and the 14-day period starts at release. Items bought in other developers’ games are refundable only if the developer opts in.
So if you sell a game, a short, rough first two hours can cost you sales. That’s one more reason to test your game with friends before you pay the fee.
What Taxes Apply When You Make Money on Steam?
If you’re working out how to make money on Steam, expect the same taxes as any self-employed income. The Steam Direct page says you complete a tax questionnaire that determines your tax status and withholding rate, but it doesn’t state the rates.
The IRS self-employed tax center says you generally have to file a return once net self-employment earnings reach $400, and that you subtract business expenses to find your net profit. The IRS self-employment tax page lists a rate of 15.3% on top of regular income tax.
Keep records of any development costs, and my guide to financial planning for gig workers shows how to set money aside as you earn.
How Do You Start to Make Money on Steam?
If you still want to try how to make money on Steam, start by testing small. Here is the order I’d follow.
- Decide what you can sell. A small game, a tool or a template. Be honest about your skills.
- Check the Steam Direct page. Read the current fee and steps before you plan a budget.
- Test with real players. Friends, forums or a free demo, before the $100 fee.
- Start the paperwork early. It takes 15 to 30 days.
- Build your coming soon page. It must be public for at least two weeks.
- Track income and costs. You’ll need the records for the IRS.
- Review after launch. Decide whether a second game makes sense.
Not sure a game beats other side income for your hours? My Side Hustle Idea Validator lets you score an idea on demand, competition and startup cost, and the free 50 AI side hustle ideas list gives you more to compare.
Who Should Skip Trying to Make Money on Steam?
Based on the rules, how to make money on Steam fits you if you:
- Can build or finish a game, tool or product that people would pay for.
- Are ready for weeks of paperwork and a 30-day wait before launch.
- Are fine with the chance that sales don’t cover the fee.
Skip it, or choose another idea, if you:
- Need money within days. Steam Direct alone takes weeks.
- Hope to cash out Wallet funds, items or an account.
- Are tempted by an offer that asks for your login details.
If you’d rather compare more options, see my side hustles guide and my list of side hustles that pay daily.
What Are the Risks and Mistakes to Avoid?
The main risks of how to make money on Steam are lost money, banned accounts and tax surprises. Here are the mistakes I’d watch for.
- Selling or buying accounts. The agreement bans it, and Valve may terminate accounts without notice.
- Sharing your login. No legitimate payout needs your password.
- Counting Wallet credit as income. It has no cash value.
- Paying the fee before testing. The $100 may not come back until $1,000 in revenue.
- Ignoring taxes. Net earnings of $400 trigger a filing requirement.
FAQ
How do you make money on Steam?
By selling something to other players, usually a game published through Steam Direct. The page lists a $100 fee per product, plus identity, bank and tax paperwork. Valve doesn’t offer a way to cash out Wallet funds.
Can you cash out your Steam Wallet?
No, so how to make money on Steam never starts there. The Steam Subscriber Agreement says Wallet funds have no cash value and are not exchangeable for cash. They can only be used to order subscriptions and hardware through Steam.
How much does it cost to sell a game on Steam?
The Steam Direct page lists a $100.00 fee per product, non-refundable but recoupable once the product reaches at least $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue. The page doesn’t state a revenue split.
Can you sell Steam accounts or items for real money?
The agreement says accounts are strictly personal and can’t be sold. Marketplace items are license rights, and transfers made outside Steam aren’t recognized, so selling for cash outside Steam carries real risk.
Want to compare this with other options? Start with ways to make money with what you already have.
The Bottom Line
How to make money on Steam comes down to selling a real product, not cashing out what you own. The honest picture: Steam Direct costs $100 per product and weeks of paperwork, Wallet funds can’t be turned into cash and no source I read gives typical earnings.
My advice: test your game with real players before you pay, never share your login and never trust a site that offers cash for Wallet credit. And if Valve’s fees or rules have changed by the time you read this, send me a message through the contact page so I can update the guide.
I write every guide on hustle&passive. I test what I can, and when I have not tried something myself, I say so and cite my sources.
