Discord Orbs are the reward currency you earn from Quests, and one of the things you can spend them on is Nitro. Not a full subscription, though. Orbs buy Nitro credits, which give you Nitro for a few days at a time.
That makes Orbs a handy way to try Nitro or top up an existing plan without paying, as long as you know the limits going in. This guide covers what Nitro costs in Orbs, how to earn them, how to redeem a credit, and what you do and don't get.
At a glance - Price: a 3-day Nitro credit has cost 1,400 Orbs since launch. Check the Shop for the current price, because Discord can change it. - Earning: mainly through Quests. Paid Nitro members also get a 1.2x Quest bonus and, for some accounts, 250 Orbs a month. - Redeeming: Nitro credits can only be claimed on desktop or in the browser, from the Orbs Exclusives tab in the Shop. - Limits: Orbs can't be bought, traded or gifted, and Orb purchases can't be refunded.
What Discord Orbs are
Orbs are a virtual reward you earn by completing Quests, short tasks that usually involve playing or watching something from a game partner. You spend Orbs in the Discord Shop on Nitro credits and on Orbs-exclusive cosmetics such as a profile badge, an avatar decoration and a profile effect. Many items in the main Shop collection can be claimed with Orbs too.
Quests Home on desktop, where most Orbs are earned. Image: Discord.
According to Discord's Orbs FAQ, earned Orbs don't expire and stay on your account until you spend them. You don't need a payment method to use them.
How much Nitro costs in Orbs
When Orbs launched, PC Gamer reported that a 3-day Nitro credit cost 1,400 Orbs. A guide last updated in July 2026 still lists the same price. Discord doesn't publish a fixed price list, so treat 1,400 as the going rate and confirm it in the Shop before you start saving.
Quest payouts vary a lot from one campaign to the next. As one example, the quest PC Gamer completed during the beta paid 150 Orbs, which works out to roughly ten similar quests for a single 3-day credit.
Discord has been open about the fact that Orbs aren't meant to replace a subscription. In the same PC Gamer piece, Discord's SVP of product said the company keeps tight control over how many Orbs are available, and that grinding Quests for permanent Nitro isn't the idea.
How to earn Orbs faster
Complete Quests
Quests are the main source of Orbs. On desktop or in the browser, open the Quest Bar or go to Discover > Quests. On mobile, go to Settings > Quests, or tap your Orbs balance on your profile. Pick a Quest that pays Orbs, complete it, then claim the reward.
Quests on mobile live in the Discovery tab. Image: Discord.
Some Quests only run on one platform, so check both desktop and mobile if you are hunting for Orbs. If you want the full rundown of how Quests work, read our Discord Quests guide.
Use the Nitro bonus if you already subscribe
Since 8 May 2026, Nitro subscribers get a 1.2x multiplier on Orbs from eligible Quests. Trial and gifted Nitro count. Nitro Basic, and Nitro that you are running on credits, do not.
Watch for the monthly Orbs drop
Some paid Nitro members get 250 Orbs a month just for keeping their subscription, deposited automatically. Discord is rolling this out gradually as an experiment, so not every account has it yet. The monthly drop FAQ lists the exclusions: gifted Nitro, Nitro from credits, Nitro Basic, and trials from partner promotions don't qualify.
Link your game accounts and check for challenges
Discord's FAQ says linking a Riot Games account (for VALORANT or League of Legends) or a Battle.net account may give you Orbs, and some promotions award them too. There are also Orb Challenges, which pay Orbs for specific actions on Discord. These are still an experiment on desktop and browser only, and many accounts won't see them.
How to redeem Orbs for Nitro
Nitro credits can only be claimed in the Discord desktop app or a web browser, according to the Nitro Credits FAQ. Once a credit is active, Nitro works on every device, including your phone.
- Open Discord on desktop or at discord.com in a browser.
- Check your balance in the top-right corner of the Shop or Quest Home.
- Open the Shop and choose the Orbs Exclusives tab.
- Select the Nitro credit and click Claim.
- If you don't have Nitro, the credit starts straight away.
The Orbs Exclusives tab, where Nitro credits sit alongside Orbs-only cosmetics. Image: Discord.
Double-check before you click. Discord's FAQ says Orb purchases are final and can't be refunded.
What a Nitro credit includes
A credit gives you Nitro for a limited time, but not quite the full package. Here is how it compares, based on the Nitro Credits FAQ:
| Included with a Nitro credit | Not included |
|---|---|
| The usual Nitro perks, such as bigger uploads, custom emoji everywhere and HD streaming | The 2 free Server Boosts |
| Works on every device once active | The extra Server Boost discount |
| Credits stack if you claim more than one | The Nitro profile badge |
| Credits don't expire before you use them | Share Nitro (the referral program) |
Credits also don't renew. When the days run out, you're back on the free plan unless you claim another credit or subscribe.
If you already pay for Nitro
You can still redeem a credit. Instead of overlapping your plan, it adds extra Nitro time: the Nitro Credits FAQ says it kicks in at the end of your current billing cycle, which pushes your next payment back.
Keep in mind that while you're running on credits, you won't get the 1.2x Quest multiplier, and those days don't count towards your next monthly Orbs drop.
Many main Shop items show an Orbs price next to the real-world price. Image: Discord.
Is it worth saving Orbs for Nitro?
If you complete Quests anyway, yes. A few days of Nitro is a decent way to try the perks before paying, or to cover a weekend when you want HD streaming with friends.
If your goal is free Nitro all year, it isn't realistic. At around 1,400 Orbs for three days, you would need a steady supply of high-paying Quests, and Discord controls how many it releases. Orbs-exclusive cosmetics can be the better buy if you care more about how your profile looks than about Nitro perks.
Avoid Orbs and Nitro scams
Orbs can't be bought, sold, gifted or transferred between accounts, and they can't be turned into real money. Anyone offering to sell you Orbs, or asking you to log in somewhere to "claim" free Nitro, is running a scam. Discord asks users to report attempts to trade Orbs.
The safe rule is simple: only earn Orbs through Quests inside the Discord app, and only spend them in the official Shop. Our guide to spotting fake Discord giveaways covers the most common tricks.
FAQ
Can I buy Orbs with money?
No. Discord's FAQ says Orbs can only be earned. They can't be bought, traded or transferred.
Do Orbs expire?
No. Orbs stay on your account until you spend them. You can lose them if your account is suspended or terminated for breaking Discord's rules.
Can I get Nitro Basic with Orbs?
The Shop sells standard Nitro credits. Nitro Basic subscribers can still earn Orbs, but they don't get the 1.2x Quest bonus.
Can I redeem a Nitro credit on my phone?
Not at the moment. Nitro credits can only be claimed on desktop or in a browser, but once one is active, Nitro works on mobile too.
Can I give Nitro to a friend with Orbs?
No. Gifts can't be bought with Orbs, and neither can recurring Nitro or Server Boost subscriptions.
Where to start
Open Quest Home today, pick the Quests that pay Orbs, and check the Shop for the current Nitro credit price before you commit. Your Orbs won't expire, so there's no rush to spend them.
For other ways to try Nitro, see our guide to claiming free Discord Nitro trials. And if you're looking for a community to try your new perks in, browse servers on Discords.ai.
Sources
- Discord: Discord Orbs FAQ, updated 5 October 2026
- Discord: Nitro Credits FAQ
- Discord: Monthly Orbs Drop for Nitro Members FAQ, updated 20 May 2026
- Discord blog: Reward your play with Orbs, 14 July 2025
- PC Gamer: Discord asks users to ponder its Orbs, 28 May 2025
- NitroLoot: Discord Orbs guide 2026, updated 17 July 2026
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