> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rivalryze.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rivalryze.com/gems-and-wallet/how-to-spend-gems.md).

# How to Spend Gems

Here's everywhere your Gems can go. Every spend shows up in your [transaction history](/gems-and-wallet/transaction-history.md).

## Contest entry fees

Joining a Contest can cost Gems. The host sets the entry fee (it can be zero), and it's taken from your wallet when you join. The whole fee goes into the prize pool.

* If your balance is lower than the fee, you can't join.
* If the Contest is cancelled, the fee comes back to you automatically.
* Once you've joined, you can't leave and get the fee back.

Entry fees show in your history as **Battle entry fee**. See [Joining a Contest](/contests/joining-a-contest.md) and [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md).

## Boosting a Contest

You can add Gems to any Contest's prize pool while it hasn't started or is live, even one you're not playing in:

1. Open the Contest and click **Boost**.
2. Enter the **Amount of Gems** (at least 1, up to your balance) and, if you like, a message of up to 100 characters.
3. Click **Donate** (for example **Donate 25 Gems**).

Your donation is shared among the winners like the rest of the pool. It's refunded only if the Contest is cancelled. Boosts show in your history as **Contest boost**.

## Prize Boost when you host

When you create a Contest, you can seed its prize pool with a **Prize Boost** from your own wallet. It's taken when the Contest is created and paid out to the winners with the rest of the pool. If the Contest is cancelled, you get it back. See [Hosting Your Own Contest](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md).

## Tips

Tipping sends Gems straight from your wallet to another player. Every tip is at least 50 Gems, and you can't tip yourself.

**On the website**, click the Gem counter on someone's story in the activity feed and pick **50**, **100** or **500**. Limits:

* You can tip up to **2,500 Gems** in total per rolling 24 hours.
* You can't send a second tip within 10 seconds of the last one.

**In Discord**, some RivalRyze bot posts carry tip buttons with fixed amounts. You need a RivalRyze account linked to your Discord account to use them.

| Bot post                    | Tip buttons           |
| --------------------------- | --------------------- |
| Contest winner announcement | 50, 100 or 250 Gems   |
| Game completion             | 50, 250 or 1,000 Gems |
| Dota 2 match                | 50 Gems               |

The 2,500-Gem daily limit applies to website tips only.

Tips show in your history as **Tip**.

## The Marketplace

The [Marketplace](/the-marketplace/marketplace-overview.md) is where you trade Gems for rewards:

* [**Gift Cards**](/the-marketplace/gift-cards.md): store credit for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and more (subscribers only).
* [**Game Codes**](/the-marketplace/game-codes.md): digital keys for full games.
* [**Avatar Rings**](/the-marketplace/cosmetics.md): animated rings around your profile picture.

Purchases show in your history as **Shop purchase**, with the item's name.

## What you can't spend Gems on

* **Subscriptions.** Supporter and Legend are paid with real money. See [Subscription Tiers](/your-account/subscription-tiers.md).
* **Cash.** Gems can't be withdrawn or converted to money.

## Not enough Gems?

Your balance can never go below zero, so anything that costs more than you have is refused. You can [earn more](/gems-and-wallet/how-to-earn-gems.md) or buy a Gem pack from the [Wallet](/gems-and-wallet/transaction-history.md) page.

If something looks wrong with your balance, check your [transaction history](/gems-and-wallet/transaction-history.md) first, then [contact support](/help-and-faq/contact-support.md).