What Is Roblox? Complete Guide

Roblox is a global online platform where millions of people create, share, and play user-generated 3D experiences. Created by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004 and released to the public in 2006, the platform hosts millions of games (called "experiences") spanning every genre from RPGs and simulators to social hangouts and obstacle courses. Roblox averaged 132 million daily active users in early 2026, making it one of the largest gaming platforms in the world. Browse the full games directory to see what is available.

How Roblox Works

Roblox is not a single game. It is a platform that hosts millions of individual games created by its community using Roblox Studio, a free game development tool built around the Luau scripting language (a dialect of Lua). Players create a free Roblox account, download the Roblox app, and can instantly access any game on the platform. Games are free to join unless a developer sets an access fee (rare). The platform handles multiplayer servers, physics, and social features so developers can focus on creating unique gameplay.

What Devices Run Roblox

Roblox is available on PC (Windows and macOS), mobile devices (iOS and Android), Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Meta Quest VR headsets, and PlayStation 4/5. Progress and purchases sync across all devices through your Roblox account. The game runs on modest hardware, making it accessible to players without high-end gaming PCs. See our system requirements guide for exact specs per platform.

Roblox Currency: Robux

Robux is the virtual currency on Roblox. Players can purchase Robux with real money to buy avatar items, game passes, and premium content. However, the vast majority of Roblox games and features are completely free. Developers earn Robux when players make purchases in their games, and can exchange Robux for real currency through the Developer Exchange (DevEx) program. Roblox raised the DevEx rate to 3.80 USD per 1,000 earned Robux in September 2025, and creators on the platform collectively earned more than 1 billion dollars in 2025.

Age Ratings and Parental Controls

Every Roblox experience carries a content maturity label: Minimal, Mild, Moderate, or Restricted. The labels describe things like violence, fear, crude humor, and other mature elements, and Restricted experiences are only available to age-verified users 17 and older. Parents can set a maturity ceiling on a child's account so only experiences at or below that level are playable, alongside controls for chat, screen time, and spending. Roblox expanded this system in 2026 with age-based account types for players under 16.

Popular Types of Roblox Games

Roblox hosts games in every genre imaginable. The most popular categories include simulators (Pet Simulator 99, Bee Swarm Simulator), RPGs (Blox Fruits, Grand Piece Online), roleplay games (Brookhaven, Adopt Me), horror games (Doors, The Mimic), shooters (Arsenal, Phantom Forces), obbies (Tower of Hell), and tycoons. New games launch daily, and the most popular titles attract millions of concurrent players. Read our genres guide for a deeper breakdown of each category.

Is Roblox Free to Play

Yes, Roblox is free to download and play. Creating an account is free, and the overwhelming majority of games on the platform are free to access. Optional purchases include Robux for cosmetic items and game passes, and Roblox Premium (a monthly subscription that grants monthly Robux and marketplace perks). None of these purchases are required to enjoy Roblox. Many games also offer free redeemable codes for in-game bonuses. Parents can learn about spending controls in our parental controls guide.