Roblox is one of the biggest gaming platforms on the planet, with over 70 million daily active users. But if you’ve never played before, the sheer size of it can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through everything you need to get started, from account creation to your first game.
What Exactly Is Roblox?
Roblox isn’t a single game — it’s a platform that hosts millions of games created by other users. Think of it like an app store, but every “app” is a 3D game built by someone in the Roblox community. The platform provides the tools (primarily Roblox Studio) and the audience; developers provide the creativity.
You’ll find games spanning virtually every genre: racing, role-playing, horror, simulators, obstacle courses (called “obbies”), fighting, and social hangouts. Many of the most popular experiences have tens of millions of visits.
Creating Your Account
Getting started is free. Head to roblox.com and click Sign Up. You’ll choose a username, set a password, and provide your date of birth (important — it affects what content you can see and what privacy settings apply). Roblox is designed for players aged 13+, with extra protections for younger players. You do not need to provide a credit card to create a free account.
After signing up, download the Roblox app or client for your platform — it’s available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Xbox One.
Your Avatar
Before you jump into a game, spend a few minutes customising your avatar. Click the avatar icon in the left sidebar. Roblox gives every new player a basic character look for free. You can change the body type, skin tone, and browse the free items in the Avatar Shop to make yourself stand out. Don’t worry about spending Robux right away — there are hundreds of free accessories available.
Finding Games to Play
The Discover page (home screen) surfaces popular and trending games. You’ll see categories like:
- Up and Coming — newer games gaining traction
- Popular Near You — games popular in your region
- Top Rated — highest-liked games of all time
- Featured — officially promoted by Roblox
Click any game thumbnail to see its detail page — check the player count, rating percentage, and description before joining. Some games require Robux for a game pass to access certain features; many are completely free to play.
Controls and Gameplay Basics
Controls vary by game, but the standard Roblox defaults are:
- WASD / Arrow keys — move
- Space — jump
- Left click — interact / attack (game-dependent)
- Shift — walk (slower movement)
- / — open chat
- Esc — open the game menu (settings, leave game)
On mobile, a virtual joystick and jump button appear on screen. On Xbox, controls map to the controller naturally.
Making Friends and Communicating
Roblox has a built-in friends system and in-game chat. To add someone as a friend, visit their profile and click “Add Friend.” The chat in games is filtered — Roblox runs an automated filter to catch inappropriate language, which is especially important for younger players.
If you’re under 13, your chat is restricted to a pre-set list of safe phrases by default, and your profile is less visible to strangers. Parents can further customise these settings through the Roblox parental controls page.
What to Play First
For brand-new players, we recommend these welcoming, beginner-friendly experiences:
- Natural Disaster Survival — simple survival game, great for learning movement
- Adopt Me! — popular social/roleplay game with a gentle learning curve
- Brookhaven RP — chill roleplaying city with lots to explore
- Tower of Hell — challenging obby with no checkpoints, fun and frustrating
- Piggy — narrative horror/puzzle game, easy to understand
Next Steps
Once you’re comfortable playing, consider trying Roblox Studio — the free development tool that lets you build your own games. Even if you’re not a programmer, you can create basic worlds using the drag-and-drop interface. Roblox provides free tutorials at create.roblox.com to help you get started.
Welcome to Roblox. With millions of games and an ever-growing community, there’s always something new to discover.