Reddit Awards explained: How to give an award, costs and more

Reddit Awards highlight posts and comments that stand out, yet many users still do not know what these awards mean or how they work. Awards sit above regular upvotes and help strong content gain visibility, so understanding them improves the overall Reddit experience. Here is everything you need to know about Reddit Awards, including how to give an award to users, are they free or how much they cost, and more!

Reddit Awards are small icons that users place under posts or comments to show extra appreciation. An upvote expresses support, while an award signals that the content is helpful, creative, or meaningful. Awards work together with Reddit Gold, and users spend gold to give them. Reddit Awards also improve visibility because awarded posts often attract more interaction.

Many users treat awards as part of Reddit culture. They highlight good behavior, reward high-effort contributions, and help strong content reach more people. This makes these awards a core engagement feature across many communities.

The current system relies on Reddit Gold and the Reddit Contributor Program. Users buy Reddit Gold with real money and spend it on awards. The system tracks how much gold each post or comment receives. If the author joins the Reddit Contributor Program, the awards count toward their monthly earnings.

The system has three important parts:

1. Users buy Reddit Gold.
2. Users spend Reddit Gold to give Reddit Awards.
3. Reddit counts the gold on awarded content and pays eligible creators.

This design creates a clear link between awards, Reddit monetization, and creator support.

It’s very easy to give an award on Reddit, as easy as leaving a comment. You open a post or comment, and you tap the “Give Award” button under it. Reddit shows a list of available awards and their gold prices. You pick one, confirm the action, and the award appears under the content. If you do not have enough gold, Reddit asks you to buy more.

This process works the same on web and mobile. You do not need Reddit Premium. You only need Reddit Gold.

Users buy Gold in bundles; prices differ by region but generally align with a low-bundle and high-bundle model. Most awards cost between 15 and 50 Gold depending on the design and tier. Some limited or event awards may cost more.

For context, when Reddit announced the new awards system, they noted purchasing options starting at roughly $1.99.

Therefore, while awards are affordable at the lower end, they still represent a real money expenditure and not just a click.

Reddit Awards give value in several ways. They help good content stand out, and they encourage users to post more helpful or creative material. Awards also support community culture, because many subreddits use them to reward kindness, detailed guides, or emotional stories.

For creators, awards can improve reach. A post with several awards tends to gain more visibility, more upvotes, and more Reddit karma. When the author joins the Reddit Contributor Program, the gold on their content can also turn into real income.

For award givers, the benefit is the satisfaction of supporting a creator or highlighting something that feels meaningful. Awards do not return money to the giver. They only serve as recognition and community support.

Many users mix Reddit Awards with Reddit achievements, Reddit badges, and Reddit trophies. These features have different purposes.

• Reddit achievements show activity patterns and milestones.
• Reddit badges show roles such as Moderator or Reddit Premium.
• Reddit trophies show long-term milestones such as account age or verification.

Achievements and trophies build identity, while Reddit Awards highlight specific posts or comments. Awards also connect to Reddit Gold and Reddit monetization. Achievements and badges do not.

Reddit changed the award system several times. The old system used Reddit Coins, and users spent those coins on Silver, Gold, Platinum, and hundreds of community awards. Reddit Premium also included monthly coin bonuses. Many users enjoyed this variety, but the system became complex and hard to maintain.

In 2023, Reddit removed coins and old awards. This decision created strong community backlash because awards were part of Reddit’s culture.

After feedback, Reddit introduced the current gold-based system. It is simpler, and it supports direct creator payouts. Users now buy Reddit Gold instead of coins, and awards use gold as the only currency. Old awards remain visible as legacy icons, but they do not affect payouts.

Reddit changed the system for three main reasons. First, the old coin system became too complex. Second, Reddit wanted a cleaner way to support creators financially. Third, the platform needed stronger protection against spam and low-effort award farming.

The new system solves these issues. It connects awards to monetization, reduces confusion, and encourages better content because payouts depend on karma and genuine engagement.

You can earn money from awards through the Reddit Contributor Program. You cannot convert awards directly into cash, but you receive payouts based on the amount of Reddit Gold that other users spend on your content.

To qualify, you need recent Reddit karma and a minimum amount of gold from awards. When you meet Reddit’s requirements, you receive a payout rate based on your tier. Higher tiers receive slightly higher earnings per gold.

Reaction to the new award system is mixed. Many users like the clear structure and the link to creator earnings. They see it as a fair way to support high-effort content. Others think the awards cost too much, or they prefer the old coin system that offered more variety and a stronger community feel.

Despite these mixed views, awards remain popular. Many subreddits use awards to highlight important posts, support emotional stories, or thank users who share detailed guides.

Awards do not create direct karma, but they often attract more engagement. This can lead to more upvotes and more Reddit karma.

Some awards are free during promotions. Most awards require Reddit Gold.

Yes. Awards draw attention and often help posts gain more reach.

Only awards that use Reddit Gold count toward payouts in the Reddit Contributor Program.

No. You only earn money when other users spend Reddit Gold on your content.