Every subreddit on Reddit can set its own rules for who can post. Many use karma and account age as gatekeepers — if you don't meet the threshold, your post gets automatically removed.
The problem: these requirements are often hidden. Moderators deliberately keep exact numbers private to prevent gaming. And requirements change constantly as subreddits adjust to spam waves.
This guide compiles what we know about karma requirements across popular subreddits, based on community research, moderator statements, and testing. Use it as a starting point, not gospel — requirements shift regularly.
How karma requirements work
Most subreddits use AutoModerator to automatically filter posts from accounts that don't meet requirements. When you're filtered:
- Your post appears to you as normal
- Nobody else can see it
- You usually don't get a notification
- Moderators may or may not see it in their queue
- Total karma — combined post + comment karma
- Comment karma — karma from comments only
- Post karma — karma from posts only
- Account age — how old your account is
- Subreddit-specific karma — karma earned in that particular subreddit
Major subreddit requirements (2026)
These numbers come from r/NewToReddit's community research, moderator announcements, and user testing. Requirements change — always check the subreddit's rules first.
News & Politics
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/news | ~100 | ~30 days | Strict moderation |
| r/worldnews | ~100 | ~30 days | Similar to r/news |
| r/politics | ~100 | ~30 days | Higher for posting, lower for commenting |
| r/PoliticalDiscussion | 50+ | 14 days | Verified manually for some posts |
Entertainment & Media
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/movies | 50-100 | 7-14 days | Text posts have different requirements |
| r/television | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/music | ~50 | 7 days | Link posts more restricted |
| r/books | 25-50 | 7 days | |
| r/gaming | ~100 | 7-14 days | High spam volume, strict |
Technology
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/technology | ~100 | 30 days | Very strict |
| r/programming | 50-100 | 14 days | |
| r/Apple | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/Android | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/buildapc | 10-25 | 3-7 days | Helpful community |
Finance & Business
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/personalfinance | 50-100 | 7-14 days | |
| r/wallstreetbets | ~50 | 7 days | Varies by post type |
| r/stocks | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/cryptocurrency | 50-500 | 30+ days | Very high, varies by post type |
| r/entrepreneur | ~50 | 7-14 days |
Discussion & Q&A
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/AskReddit | ~50 | 5-7 days | Comment-only for new users |
| r/explainlikeimfive | ~25 | 3-5 days | |
| r/NoStupidQuestions | ~10 | 1-3 days | Intentionally accessible |
| r/OutOfTheLoop | ~25 | 3-5 days | |
| r/AMA | Varies | Varies | Verified AMAs have different rules |
Lifestyle & Hobbies
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/fitness | 25-50 | 7 days | |
| r/food | ~25 | 5-7 days | |
| r/gardening | 10-25 | 3-5 days | Welcoming community |
| r/DIY | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/photography | 25-50 | 7 days |
Humor & Casual
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/funny | ~100 | 14 days | High competition |
| r/memes | 50-100 | 7-14 days | |
| r/pics | ~100 | 7-14 days | High spam, strict |
| r/gifs | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/CasualConversation | ~10 | 1-2 days | Very accessible |
Science & Education
| Subreddit | Karma | Account Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/science | 50-100 | 14 days | Strict sourcing rules |
| r/askscience | ~50 | 7-14 days | Verified flairs for answers |
| r/space | ~50 | 7 days | |
| r/history | ~50 | 7 days |
Subreddits with no (or minimal) karma requirements
These subreddits are specifically designed to be accessible to new users:
- r/CasualConversation — Light conversation, very welcoming
- r/NoStupidQuestions — Ask anything, no judgment
- r/findareddit — Find the right subreddit for your topic
- r/NewToReddit — Help for new users
- r/self — Text posts, personal stories
- r/TrueOffMyChest — Venting, minimal barriers
- r/relationship_advice — Seeking advice, accessible
How to find a specific subreddit's requirements
Since exact numbers are often private, here's how to research:
1. Check the sidebar and wiki
Desktop: Look in the right sidebar for rules. Mobile: Tap "About" at the top of the subreddit.
Some moderators publish exact requirements. Many don't.
2. Search the subreddit
Search for "karma requirements" or "can't post" within the subreddit. Often other users have asked, and moderators have answered.
3. Check r/NewToReddit
Their wiki maintains community-sourced requirement lists. It's not complete, but it's the best public resource.
4. Message the moderators
Use "Message the Mods" in the sidebar. Politely ask what the requirements are. Some will tell you; some won't.
5. Test with a low-effort comment
Post a simple, on-topic comment. Check in an incognito window to see if it's visible. If yes, you meet the comment requirements. Posting may have different thresholds.
Why requirements vary so much
Subreddit requirements reflect their spam problems:
High-traffic subreddits face constant spam waves. More bots and manipulation campaigns target r/funny than r/quilting, so r/funny has higher barriers.
Commercial topics attract more spam. Cryptocurrency, fitness supplements, and tech products see aggressive marketing, so those subreddits lock down harder.
Controversial topics attract brigading. Political subreddits have high requirements to prevent coordinated manipulation from new account swarms.
Hobbyist communities often have lower barriers. They want new members and have fewer spam problems.
The comment vs. post difference
Many subreddits have different requirements for commenting and posting:
- Comments often require less karma — maybe 10 karma when posts require 100
- Comments in specific threads may be open when creating new posts is restricted
- Some subreddits are comment-only for new users until you build karma there
Account age matters more than you think
Many subreddits weight account age heavily:
- A 1-year-old account with 50 karma often gets through
- A 1-day-old account with 500 karma often doesn't
If you're hitting walls despite having decent karma, account age is probably the issue. Some subreddits require 30-90 days before posting, regardless of karma.
Building karma efficiently
Given these requirements, here's the efficient path:
Week 1: Comment in accessible subreddits
- r/CasualConversation
- r/NoStupidQuestions
- r/AskReddit (comments only)
- Hobby subreddits in your interests
Week 2-3: Expand to medium-restriction subreddits
- Continue commenting
- Try posting in lower-requirement communities
- Build karma in subreddits you eventually want to post in
Week 4+: Access most communities
- Most mainstream subreddits open up around 100+ karma and 30 days age
- High-requirement subreddits may need more time
What if you need access now?
If you can't wait weeks to build karma:
Message moderators
Explain your situation. Some will manually approve posts from new accounts if the content is legitimate.Use an older account
If you have a dormant account from years ago, its age still counts. A 5-year-old account with low karma often clears barriers that new high-karma accounts can't.Buy an established account
Accounts grown over months or years with legitimate activity clear most requirements. Browse our listings to see available accounts with posting histories already established.The future of karma requirements
Reddit has been experimenting with new trust systems:
- Contributor Quality scores that factor in removal rates and community standing
- Verified email bonuses that give slight trust bumps
- Cross-subreddit reputation that considers your standing across Reddit
The accounts that will continue working are ones with genuine, diverse engagement histories — the same accounts that work best today.
Key takeaways
- Karma requirements vary wildly between subreddits (10 to 500+)
- Account age often matters more than karma amount
- Requirements are usually hidden and change frequently
- Start with accessible subreddits to build karma
- Comments often have lower barriers than posts
- Established accounts bypass most restrictions
References
- r/NewToReddit. "Karma Requirements Guide." Community Wiki.
- Reddit. "AutoModerator Documentation." Reddit Wiki.
- Reddit. "Reddiquette." Reddit Wiki.
- Various subreddit wikis and moderator announcements, accessed July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much karma do you need to post on Reddit?
Every subreddit on Reddit can set its own rules for who can post. Many use karma and account age as gatekeepers — if you don't meet the threshold, your post gets automatically removed.
What is the karma requirement for Reddit?
This guide compiles what we know about karma requirements across popular subreddits, based on community research, moderator statements, and testing. Use it as a starting point, not gospel — requirements shift regularly.
How do I check karma requirements for a subreddit?
This guide compiles what we know about karma requirements across popular subreddits, based on community research, moderator statements, and testing. Use it as a starting point, not gospel — requirements shift regularly.
Why does Reddit require karma to post?
This guide compiles what we know about karma requirements across popular subreddits, based on community research, moderator statements, and testing. Use it as a starting point, not gospel — requirements shift regularly.
What subreddits have no karma requirements?
This guide compiles what we know about karma requirements across popular subreddits, based on community research, moderator statements, and testing. Use it as a starting point, not gospel — requirements shift regularly.
