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Microsoft Gift Card vs Xbox Gift Card: Is There Any Difference?

October 27, 2026 · Updated November 2, 2026

Graphic reading Microsoft gift card vs Xbox gift card

There's no real difference: Xbox gift cards and Microsoft gift cards both add money to the same Microsoft account balance. Microsoft's own redeem page says Microsoft and Xbox gift cards "all work the same way": once redeemed, the balance can be spent at the Microsoft Store online, on Windows or on an Xbox console. The two cards just have different designs for different shelves.

Key facts

Both cards add to one Microsoft account balance, and Microsoft says they work just the same.
That balance works on Xbox consoles, Windows PCs and the Microsoft Store online, but not in physical Microsoft Store shops.
Both use a 25-character code redeemed at microsoft.com/redeem, on the console, or in the Microsoft Store app.
Cards are in local currency and only work in the country where they were bought. The balance can't be converted to another currency.
Microsoft's gift card terms say non-promotional balance doesn't expire. Promotional balance, such as Microsoft Rewards cards, can.
Balance from both cards lands in one pot, so you can spend them together, up to Microsoft's limit of US$1,000 stored per account.

Comparison showing Xbox and Microsoft gift cards add to the same balance and work in the same places

What the balance pays for

Microsoft account balance can be used for:

Xbox games, add-ons and in-game currency, like Minecraft or COD Points.
Xbox subscriptions such as Game Pass. Microsoft's "add money" page notes that only Xbox subscriptions can be bought with a gift card, so a Microsoft 365 subscription is out. See paying for Game Pass with gift cards.
PC games and apps in the Microsoft Store and Xbox app on Windows.
Movies, TV and apps on the Microsoft Store.
Hardware such as Xbox consoles, controllers and Surface devices from the online Microsoft Store in most countries. Microsoft says gift cards can't buy hardware in Taiwan.

What can you buy with an Xbox gift card? goes through it in more detail.

Where it doesn't work

Steam, PlayStation and Epic. Each store takes only its own cards. See Xbox or PSN gift card on Steam.
Physical Microsoft Store shops. Microsoft's spending page says account money can't be used at Microsoft Store retail locations, nor to get cash or gift certificates.
Other countries' stores. Microsoft's terms say the balance may only be used at participating stores in the country where the account is registered, and it can't be converted to another currency. A US card won't work on a UK account. Xbox gift card in another country explains why.
Microsoft 365 and Office. Those subscriptions need a card or PayPal, not account balance.

How much you can hold and redeem

Because both cards feed the same balance, Microsoft's account limits apply to the total, not per card. Its support page on balance limits says:

Limit (US figures)	Amount
Maximum balance stored in one Microsoft account	US$1,000
Combined limit across all your Microsoft accounts	US$5,000
Money added or gift cards redeemed per day	US$1,000
Spending from balance per day	US$1,000

Several countries use their own figures: Australia AUD 1,520, Hong Kong HKD 8,000, India INR 50,000, New Zealand NZD 5,000, Singapore SGD 1,000, Switzerland CHF 3,000 and Taiwan TWD 10,000. France limits redemptions and balance purchases to EUR 150 in any 30-day period. If you go over a limit, Microsoft says you may temporarily be unable to redeem money or buy with your balance. That matters if you've been saving several large cards for a console: redeem them across a few days rather than all at once.

Rules that apply to both cards

Microsoft's gift card terms and conditions are the same whichever design is on the card:

No expiry on retail cards. "Non-promotional account balance doesn't expire." Promotional balance expires on the promotion's terms. Do gift cards expire? compares all three platforms.
No transfers. The balance is "non-transferable to another person or Microsoft account". If you redeem a code on the wrong account, Microsoft can't move it. Xbox code already redeemed or invalid covers what to do instead.
No cash. Except where the law requires it, gift cards can't be redeemed or exchanged for cash and aren't reloadable.
No refund once redeemed. In the EU you can return an unredeemed card within 14 days, but a redeemed one is final.
Right recipient. A gift card you buy for someone else is delivered to them, so it won't add money to your own account. Check the recipient name and email before you pay.

Which one should you buy?

Whichever is cheaper or in stock. For an Xbox player, an "Xbox" card makes a better-looking present. For a Windows user who never touches a console, a "Microsoft" card does. The money ends up in the same place either way, and the recipient redeems both at the same page. If you're buying for a child, remember the balance goes to the account that redeems the code: gift cards for kids' gaming accounts explains the family setup on each platform.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a Microsoft gift card on Xbox?

Yes. It adds to your Microsoft account balance, which works on Xbox.

Can I use an Xbox gift card on a Windows PC?

Yes, in the Microsoft Store and Xbox app on Windows.

Can I combine an Xbox card and a Microsoft card?

Yes. Both go into the same balance, so you can spend them together. Microsoft's US limit is US$1,000 stored at once and US$1,000 redeemed per day.

Do Microsoft and Xbox gift cards expire?

Cards bought at retail don't. Promotional ones, like Microsoft Rewards cards, can. Do gift cards expire?

Can I buy Game Pass with a Microsoft gift card?

Yes. Microsoft says Xbox subscriptions can be bought with gift card balance. Microsoft 365 can't.

Can I earn Xbox gift cards?

Yes. XPReward converts offer points into Xbox gift card codes at 144 points per dollar, and new members get 250 points. Create a free account.

Sources

Microsoft balance facts checked on 3 November 2026 against:

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