How Much Does the TikTok Universe Gift Cost?
The TikTok Universe is the platform's most expensive and prestigious virtual gift that users can send during live streams. Its dramatic animation and high coin requirement make it a distinctive symbol of dedication among TikTok fans. But how much real money does it cost to gift a Universe? This guide breaks down the coin pricing, creator earnings, regional differences, and user motivation behind TikTok's top virtual gift.
How Much Does the TikTok Universe Gift Cost?
The TikTok Universe is the most expensive gift offered, with a cost of 34,999 coins – around $430 (≈3.6 days working without days off at $15/hour) - the maximum allowed. For context, the second-most expensive gift, the Sunflower, only costs 9,999 coins.
This extremely high coin requirement makes the Universe an exclusive gift reserved only for diehard fans or as special treats during livestreams with exceptional momentum. It's not common to see multiple Universes in a single broadcast.
Out of all TikTok's animated gifts, the elaborate Universe animation lasting over 10 seconds cements its status as the undisputed king.
According to Socialmediative, the TikTok Universe costs 34,999 to 44,999 virtual coins, which translates to approximately $500 to $562 (≈4.7 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) USD in the US depending on the current coin pricing and exchange rates. This extravagant gift is only available in select countries and appears as an animated sticker during live streams, displaying the sender’s username prominently. Other sources confirm the price range, with the TikTok Universe gift valued at around $562 (≈4.7 days working to pay for this at $15/hour), making it the highest-priced gift on the platform [JivoChat].
Creators who receive the TikTok Universe gift typically earn about half its value after TikTok takes its commission. For example, in the US, a creator would make roughly $250 to $280 (≈2.3 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) from one TikTok Universe gift, while in the UK, creators earn about £200 (~$250 (≈2.1 days working for this purchase at $15/hour)) per gift [Reddit]. The exact payout depends on TikTok’s service fees and regional policies.
Other high-value TikTok gifts include the Lion (about 29,999 coins or $399 (≈3.3 days working every waking hour at $15/hour)), Rocket (20,000 coins), and Planet (15,000 coins), with prices scaling accordingly. The coin-to-dollar conversion rate is roughly $0.01 per coin, but prices can fluctuate slightly based on regional pricing and promotions [Fourthwall].
What Are TikTok Gifts?
TikTok allows users to purchase virtual "coins" that can be exchanged for digital gifts to send during live broadcasts. Coins cost real money through in-app purchases. Gifts, like the Universe, are then delivered as animations to show support and appreciation for creators.
To gift a Universe:
- Buy TikTok coins in the app via payment methods like credit card or mobile wallet
- Open the live video of a creator you want to support
- Tap the gift icon and select the Universe gift (requires 34,999 coins)
- Send the gift during the livestream and watch the dramatic animated sequence
- The creator sees the gift and your username while live as a sign of thanks
This virtual tipping system powers an economy where viewers reward beloved creators with gifts that have real monetary value.
Universe Coins to Real Dollars
TikTok coins don't have a fixed USD conversion rate. Their real money value depends on the coin bundle you purchase. However, based on typical packages:
- Sending one Universe gift costs approximately $400 to $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) USD
For example, purchasing the 28,000-coin bundle for $308 (≈2.6 days of labor to afford this at $15/hour) and topping up the remaining coins gets you to the Universe's 34,999-coin requirement for around $430 (≈3.6 days working without days off at $15/hour) total.
But prices can fluctuate based on your country, local currency, current coin promotions, and if purchasing on iOS or Android. Taxes also impact the final coin pricing.
In regions like Australia or the UK, the money to coin ratio differs. But Universe gifts still represent an elite tier of support.
Also read about the cost of a TikTok rose or Pokemon cards.
Factors Influencing TikTok Coin Pricing
Several key factors impact how much real money Universe gifts cost:
- Coin bundles - Larger packs offer bulk discounts (100 for $1.29 vs. 28,000 for $308 (≈2.6 days of labor to afford this at $15/hour)), reducing the per-coin cost. Sending multiple Universes favors big bundles.
- iOS vs Android - Apple and Google app store fees raise in-app purchase prices by 30% or more on their platforms.
- Taxes - Countries add sales tax on coin packs. For example, Europe has VAT and Australia has GST.
- Promotions - Temporary discounts or bonus coins on certain packages reduce costs.
- Region - Currency conversion rates and pricing model by country changes coin values.
Finding the cheapest coin bundles while calculating local sales taxes and platform fees offers the most affordable route to gifting Universes.
Why Do TikTok Users Send Expensive Universe Gifts?
With a $400-$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) price tag, why splurge on a Universe? User motivations include:
- Superfans supporting beloved creators - The most dedicated followers express their fandom through over-the-top gifts.
- Influencers supporting each other - Cross-gifting Universes can grow followings and engagement.
- Gaining livestream visibility - Having a noticeable Universe animation displays your username to thousands watching.
- Social competition - Users battle to be the top gifter and unlock loyalty badges.
- Enjoying creator reactions - Surprising streamers with a Universe elicits shocked responses.
- Having disposable income - For some super engaged viewers, the cost is negligible.
Universes demonstrate a level of commitment that basic followers don't display. They transform passive viewing into active participation and promotion.
How Much Money Do Creators Earn From TikTok Gifts?
TikTok takes a hefty commission on all gift transactions. Of the ~$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) USD spent on a Universe gift, creators receive:
- Roughly $150 to $250 (≈2.1 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) USD in actual creator earnings
This 30-50% cut funds TikTok's infrastructure and incentivizes continual gifting by limiting payouts.
When a gift is received, it's converted into "diamonds" in a creator's account based on the gift's coin cost. These diamonds are then redeemable for cash via bank transfer once meeting TikTok's payout thresholds.
Cost Breakdown by Country
Here is the cash price range for gifting a single Universe gift in top TikTok markets:
- United States: $420 - $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) USD
- United Kingdom: £335 - £400 GBP
- Canada: $550 - $650 (≈1.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) CAD
- Australia: $600 - $700 (≈1.2 weeks of salary time at $15/hour) AUD
- Japan: ¥50,000 - ¥60,000 JPY
- Korea: ₩550,000 - ₩650,000 KRW
- India: ₹35,000 - ₹42,000 INR
Prices rise in countries with less favorable currency rates or sales taxes on virtual goods. But the Universe remains universally recognized.
Save Money on TikTok Gifting
Some tips to reduce your Universe gift costs include:
- Buying larger coin bundles to get bulk discount rates
- Tracking promotions where TikTok offers bonus coins or discounts
- Following creators who require less expensive gifts like Lions or Sunflowers
- Coordinating group gifting where multiple fans split the cost
- Limiting impulse gifting and setting a budget beforehand
While still a significant outlay, these tactics help budget-conscious fans participate for less.
Is the TikTok Universe Worth it?
Whether the TikTok Universe represents a worthwhile expense depends on your disposable income and motivation:
Worth it for
- Superfans who are highly engaged and want to stand out
- Influencers looking to support collaborators or peers
- Viewers who prioritize recognition and status
Not worth it for
- Casual viewers with minimal engagement
- Those gifting on a tight budget
- Users focused only on supporting creators
There's no right or wrong answer. The Universe lifts gifting to an art form, offering a truly elite tier of digital appreciation on TikTok livestreams.
Final Words
While the upfront coin price of 34,999 makes the TikTok Universe the priciest virtual gift on the platform, its actual cost in real money varies based on region, coin bundles, and taxes. For most users globally, gifting a single Universe costs approximately $400-$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) USD when factoring in these variables.
This high price point restricts Universe gifting to an elite few superfans, influencers, or coordinated groups who want to make a dramatic statement of support and dedication during a creator's livestream. Whether or not it's a worthwhile splurge depends on individual motivations and engagement. But there's no denying the Universe's prestige and its role as the crown jewel of digital gifting on TikTok.
Answers to Common Questions
How much does TikTok take from live gifts?
TikTok claims a 50-70% commission on the value of all gifts, meaning creators only receive 30-50% of a gift's actual price after conversion to diamonds.
How much money do you get for a Galaxy gift on TikTok?
The Galaxy gift costs 5,000 coins, valued at around $70 (≈4.7 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour) USD. After TikTok's commission, creators earn approximately $25-$35 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) USD in diamonds per Galaxy gift.
How can people afford to gift Universes on TikTok?
Most Universe senders are mega-fans with deep engagement, influencers with income to spare, or users pooling funds. The high price filters gifting to only the most motivated and cost-insensitive.
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