Table of Contents
- Why Discord Server Rules Matter
- How to Write Discord Server Rules
- Basic Discord Server Rules Template
- Gaming Server Rules Template
- Study Server Rules Template
- Art Server Rules Template
- Community Server Rules Template
- Professional Server Rules Template
- Aesthetic Discord Rules Template
- How to Add Rules to Your Discord Server
- Good Discord Server Rules What to Include
- FAQ
TL;DR
- Discord server rules set expectations, reduce moderation work, and protect your community from the first day
- A rules channel is the standard setup Discord also has a built-in Rules Screening feature for gating new member access
- All 18+ templates below are free to copy and paste replace `[bracketed placeholders]` with your server name and specific details
- Keep rules between 5 and 15 items enough to cover real situations without overwhelming new members
- For styled text in your rules channel, use DigiToolVault's Font Generator to format headers and section titles
Why Discord Server Rules Matter
What Happens Without Clear Rules
A Discord server without rules is a server where moderators have to make judgment calls on every incident. What counts as spam? Is off-topic posting a warning or a kick? Can members share links? Without written rules, the answer to every question is "whatever the mod on duty decides" which leads to inconsistent enforcement, member complaints, and burnout for the team running the server.
Clear rules do three things that matter:
- They set expectations before problems happen. A member who reads the rules knows what the community expects before they post anything. Most rule violations come from people who genuinely did not know the standard not from bad actors.
- They give moderators a reference point. When a mod takes action, they can point to a specific rule rather than explaining a personal opinion. This removes the personal element from moderation decisions.
- They protect the server. Documented rules are the foundation for banning bad actors. A ban is much harder to dispute when the member was warned for violating a stated rule.
Where to Put Rules in Your Server
| Option | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| #rules channel | Dedicated channel with pinned rules post | Most servers |
| Rules Screening | Built-in Discord feature requiring acceptance | Larger communities |
| #welcome or #info | Single info channel covering everything | Small servers (under 50 members) |
- Option 1 A dedicated `#rules` channel is the most common setup. Create a channel named `#rules`, `#๐rules`, or `#server-rules` and pin your rules post at the top. Lock the channel so only staff can post.
- Option 2 Discord's built-in Rules Screening gates new members behind a rules acceptance prompt before they can post or see channels. Enable it in Server Settings โ Community โ Membership Screening. Members must explicitly click Accept before they can interact with the server.
- Option 3 Rules in `#welcome` or `#info` works for smaller servers where a single info channel covers everything. Less clean but functional for servers under 50 members.
How to Write Discord Server Rules
What Every Rules Channel Should Include
A complete Discord server rules post covers these areas at minimum:
Formatting Tips for Readable Rules
- ๐ข Number your rules. Numbered rules are easier to reference in moderation logs "Rule 3 violation" is cleaner than quoting the full text.
- ๐ Keep each rule to one sentence. Long rule explanations get skipped. If a rule needs more than two lines, split it or add a short examples line separately.
- ๐ฏ Use emoji as visual anchors. An emoji at the start of each rule helps members scan the list quickly without reading every word. Consistent emoji style looks more professional than mixing random icons.
- Bold the rule, explain underneath. A short bold statement of the rule followed by one line of context is easier to read than a paragraph.
- โ๏ธ Add a consequences section. Members should know what happens when rules are broken before they break them, not after.
For styled headers and section titles in your rules channel, DigiToolVault's Font Generator generates copy-paste Unicode bold and small caps text that works directly in Discord.
Basic Discord Server Rules Template
Use these starter templates for most Discord communities. Click Copy on any block, paste into your `#rules` channel, then replace `[bracketed placeholders]` with your server name and roles.
Template 1 Simple 5-Rule Format
๐ [Server Name] Rules
1. Be respectful to everyone.
2. No spam, flooding, or excessive pinging.
3. Keep content appropriate and on-topic.
4. No self-promotion without staff permission.
5. Follow Discord's Terms of Service.
Breaking these rules will result in a warning,
mute, or ban depending on severity.
Questions? Contact @[Mod Role].Template 2 Numbered List Format
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ SERVER RULES
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
1. Treat all members with respect. No harassment,
bullying, or discrimination of any kind.
2. No NSFW content outside designated channels.
3. No spam. This includes message flooding,
excessive emoji, and repeated posts.
4. Stay on topic in each channel. Check channel
descriptions before posting.
5. No advertising or self-promotion without
permission from staff.
6. No sharing of personal information about
others without their consent.
7. Follow Discord's Terms of Service at all times.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Violations will be handled by staff at their
discretion. Serious violations = instant ban.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโTemplate 3 Emoji Formatted Rules
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ [SERVER NAME] โ
โ RULES โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ค Rule 1 Respect
Treat every member with respect. No hate speech,
slurs, or targeted harassment.
๐ซ Rule 2 No Spam
No message flooding, excessive pings, or
copy-pasted content.
๐ Rule 3 Stay On Topic
Post in the correct channels. Off-topic posts
will be deleted.
๐ Rule 4 No Unsolicited Promotion
No advertising servers, products, or socials
without staff approval.
๐ Rule 5 Age-Appropriate Content
Keep all content SFW unless a channel is
explicitly marked otherwise.
โ๏ธ Enforcement
Warn โ Mute โ Kick โ Ban
Contact @[Staff Role] for questions.Gaming Server Rules Template
Rules tailored for competitive, casual, and roleplay gaming communities.
Template 4 Competitive Gaming Server
๐ฎ [SERVER NAME] RULES
โโโโโ GENERAL โโโโโ
โ Respect all members and staff. No toxicity,
flaming, or personal attacks.
โก English only in general channels. Language
channels available in #channels-list.
โข No hacking, cheating, or exploit discussion.
Zero tolerance instant ban.
โโโโโ GAMEPLAY โโโโโ
โฃ No ghosting, win-trading, or intentional
feeding in organised matches.
โค Report suspicious activity to staff do not
call out players publicly.
โโโโโ MEDIA / CLIPS โโโโโ
โฅ Post clips and highlights in #clips only.
โฆ No stream sniping or doxxing of streamers.
โโโโโ CONSEQUENCES โโโโโ
Minor violations โ Warning
Repeated violations โ Temp ban
Cheating / Harassment โ Permanent banTemplate 5 Casual Gaming Server
๐น [Server Name] Rules Keep it chill โ
1. Be cool to each other. No drama.
2. Don't spam channels with anything.
3. Gaming talk in gaming channels.
Memes in #memes. Simple.
4. No cheating talk or illegal stuff.
5. Ask staff before posting your server/socials.
6. If someone asks you to stop stop.
That's it. Have fun and gg's only ๐ฎ
Mods: @[Mod Role]Template 6 FiveM / GTA RP Server
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
๐ [SERVER NAME] RP RULES
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
[IC IN CHARACTER]
1. Stay in character at all times in RP zones.
2. No RDM (Random Death Match) without
valid RP reason.
3. No VDM (Vehicle Death Match).
4. Valuing your life is required. Act accordingly.
5. No metagaming IC info stays IC.
6. No powergaming or forcing RP on others.
[OOC OUT OF CHARACTER]
7. Keep OOC chat respectful and minimal.
8. No mic spam in voice channels.
9. All disputes go to #support not in-game.
[COMMUNITY]
10. No advertising other RP servers.
11. Screenshots and clips shared in #media only.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Moderation team: @[Staff Role]
Appeals: #ban-appeals
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโStudy Server Rules Template
Templates for study groups and homework-help communities.
Template 7 Study Group Rules
๐ [SERVER NAME] Study Server Rules
1. Respect everyone regardless of academic
level, subject, or background.
2. Questions are always welcome. No question
is too basic. No mocking allowed.
3. Give answers, not just answers brief
explanations help people learn.
4. No sharing of full exam papers,
plagiarised work, or contract cheating.
5. Keep #general-chat friendly and low-noise
during peak study hours.
6. Subject channels are for that subject only.
Off-topic posts will be moved.
7. No promoting paid tutoring services
without staff approval.
๐ฉ Contact @[Mod Role] for questions.Template 8 Homework Help Server
โ๏ธ [Server Name] Homework Help Rules
DO โ
- Ask questions clearly with context
- Show your working / what you have tried
- Be patient while waiting for help
- Say thank you volunteers run this server
DON'T โ
- Post full assignments asking others to complete
- Ask for answers without attempting first
- Be rude if you disagree with an answer
- Share NSFW content or unrelated links
Repeat violations โ removed from server.
Questions โ @[Staff Role]Art Server Rules Template
For art communities and creator hubs.
Template 9 Art Community Rules
๐จ [SERVER NAME] Art Server Rules
โ RESPECT ART AND ARTISTS
No tracing, reposting, or claiming others'
work without credit. Always credit sources.
โก CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ONLY
Feedback must be helpful. No unsolicited
harsh critique. If someone asks for feedback,
give it kindly.
โข ORIGINAL WORK IN #SHOWCASE
Only post art you created. Inspiration boards
and references go in #references.
โฃ CONTENT STANDARDS
No NSFW art outside age-gated channels.
No gore or disturbing content.
โค NO UNSOLICITED COMMISSIONS
Don't DM artists about commissions without
checking if they are open. Commission
adverts go in #commissions-open only.
โฅ BE SUPPORTIVE
We are here to grow together. Lift each other
up. Negativity will not be tolerated.
Staff: @[Mod Role]Template 10 Content Creator Server
๐น [Server Name] Creator Hub Rules
POSTING YOUR CONTENT
- Share only in #self-promotion
- One post per 24 hours per creator
- No spamming DMs to promote content
SUPPORTING OTHERS
- Genuine feedback only no empty "sub4sub"
- Celebrate wins no gatekeeping
CONDUCT
- No disparaging other creators publicly
- Collaboration DMs: ask first, respect a no
- No drama from external platforms brought here
BUSINESS CHANNELS
- #collabs for collabs
- #services for paid services
- No posting rates in general
Mods: @[Mod Role]Community Server Rules Template
General, anime, and music community templates.
Template 11 General Community
โญโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโฎ
โ [SERVER NAME] RULES โ
โฐโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโฏ
๐ Be kind. This is a community not a debate
club. Treat everyone with basic respect.
๐ฌ Keep conversation appropriate. No slurs,
hate speech, or targeted harassment.
๐ซ No spam. One message at a time.
No chain messages or copy-paste floods.
๐ No unsolicited links or server invites.
Promotion goes in #promo only.
๐ต No NSFW outside designated channels.
๐ Privacy matters. Don't share others'
personal information without consent.
โก Staff decisions are final. If you disagree,
open a ticket don't argue in public channels.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โ Mods: @[Mod Role] โ
โ Tickets: #support โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโTemplate 12 Anime Community
๐ธ [SERVER NAME] Anime Server Rules
โ No spoilers without spoiler tags.
Use ||spoiler text|| format.
Label the show before the tag.
โก Keep ship wars civil. Opinions are fine.
Attacks on people who ship differently
are not.
โข Fan art shared in #fanart must credit
the original artist. AI-generated art
must be labelled as such.
โฃ No NSFW content in general channels.
Age-gated content in designated channels only.
โค Anime reaction images and memes belong
in #memes. Keep #general for conversation.
โฅ Respect all genres and fandoms.
Genre snobbery gets you muted.
Staff: @[Mod Role]Template 13 Music Community
๐ต [SERVER NAME] Music Server Rules
1. All genres welcome. No genre shaming.
2. Share music in #music-sharing with a
brief description of what you are sharing.
3. Lyrics and song discussions in #lyrics.
Keep #general for conversation.
4. No bootleg or piracy links. Spotify,
YouTube, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp links
are fine.
5. Artist self-promotion in #artist-promo only.
One post per 48 hours.
6. Be constructive when discussing music you
dislike. "It's bad" is not feedback.
7. Respect copyright. Do not share full albums
as files.
Mods: @[Mod Role]Professional Server Rules Template
Business and developer community rules.
Template 14 Business Server
๐ผ [SERVER NAME] Professional Community Rules
COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
- All communication must be professional
and respectful at all times.
- Disagreements are handled via DM or
in #disputes not in public channels.
- Personal attacks, regardless of context,
result in immediate removal.
CONTENT AND SHARING
- Share resources, tools, and insights freely.
- Credit sources. No reposting paid content.
- Business promotion in #showcase only.
- No spamming referral links.
CONFIDENTIALITY
- What is shared here stays here.
- Do not share screenshots of private
discussions without consent.
NETWORKING
- Genuine connection only. No cold selling
in DMs without prior relationship.
- Job posts in #opportunities. One post per
role per company.
Management: @[Admin Role]Template 15 Developer Community
๐ป [Server Name] Dev Community Rules
CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Inclusive language only. No exclusionary
remarks about any background, level, or stack.
2. No "just Google it" point to resources
or explain briefly. We all start somewhere.
3. Format code in code blocks.
Use backticks: `inline` or triple backticks
for blocks.
CHANNELS
4. Language and framework questions in the
correct channel (see #channel-guide).
5. Job posts in #jobs no spam, one post per role.
6. Projects and portfolios in #show-and-tell.
CONDUCT
7. Debate ideas, not people.
8. No promotion of tools you have a financial
interest in without disclosure.
9. Security research discussion only no
exploitation tools or tutorials.
Mods: @[Mod Role]Aesthetic Discord Rules Template
Pretty formatting options for aesthetic and minimalist servers.
Template 16 Aesthetic Formatted Rules
โฉโห.โ [SERVER NAME] โ.หโโฉ
โโโโโโ server rules โโโโโโ
โก rule i be kind
treat everyone with warmth and respect.
this is a safe space, not a debate ring.
โก rule ii no drama
keep conflicts private. public
arguments get everyone muted.
โก rule iii stay on topic
each channel has a purpose.
read channel descriptions before posting.
โก rule iv no spam
one message, not ten. no flooding,
no mass pinging, no chain messages.
โก rule v credit creators
when sharing art, music, or writing,
always credit the original creator.
โก rule vi follow discord tos
self-explanatory. we trust you.
โฉโห staff: @[Mod Role] หโโฉTemplate 17 Minimalist Rules
[SERVER NAME] rules
01 be decent to each other
02 no spam or flooding
03 right content in right channels
04 no unsolicited promotion
05 credit art you share
06 follow discord tos
that's all.
staff: @[mod role]Template 18 Symbol Decorated Rules
โ [SERVER NAME] โ
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
โฆ respect โฆ
No discrimination, hate speech, or harassment.
Everyone belongs here.
โฆ no spam โฆ
Messages, pings, and links one at a time.
โฆ channels โฆ
Each channel has a purpose. Stay in yours.
โฆ content โฆ
SFW in all untagged channels. Credit all art.
โฆ promotion โฆ
Server invites and self-promos in #promo only.
โฆ staff โฆ
Mod decisions are final. Respectful appeals
accepted in #tickets.
โโโโโโโโโโโโโโโโ
Contact: @[Mod Role]How to Add Rules to Your Discord Server
Method 1 Rules Channel
Method 2 Discord Built-in Rules Screening
This method is more secure members cannot claim they did not see the rules.
Method 3 Using a Bot
Bots like Carl-bot, MEE6, and Dyno can post formatted rules embeds with colored sidebars and clickable accept reactions. Rules posted via bot embed look more polished than plain text posts.Good Discord Server Rules What to Include
Rule Categories Every Server Needs
| Category | What to Cover |
|---|---|
| Respect | No harassment, hate speech, slurs, discrimination |
| Content | SFW standards, NSFW channel policy |
| Spam | Message flooding, excessive pings, repeated posts |
| Channels | On-topic posting, channel purpose adherence |
| Promotion | Self-promo policy, server invite rules |
| Consequences | Warning โ Mute โ Kick โ Ban escalation |
| Contact | Who to reach, how to report, where to appeal |
Rules to Avoid
- โ Overly long rules. If your rules post is longer than one screen scroll, members will not read it. Keep it under 15 rules. More than that means your rules need organizing, not expanding.
- โ Vague rules. "Be nice" is unenforceable. "No personal insults directed at another member" is enforceable.
- โ Rules that contradict Discord ToS. You cannot override Discord's Terms of Service with server rules. Do not add rules that promise things Discord does not allow.
- โ Rules that punish without warning. Instant bans for minor first offences lose members. A warning system for non-egregious violations is fairer and keeps good members who made mistakes.
Related Discord Guides
Style your rules channel headers with Unicode bold and small caps DigiToolVault Font Generator โ
Build your server welcome profile with the Discord Bio Maker โ
