World of Warcraft subscription pricing

World of Warcraft (WoW) is a monthly subscription game. Blizzard Entertainment, the company that makes it, charges a recurring monthly fee to play. The standard subscription costs $14.99 per month in the United States, though the price varies by region and currency.

You can also pay for longer periods upfront. A three-month subscription costs $41.97 (about $13.99 per month), and a six-month subscription costs $77.94 (about $12.99 per month). The longer you commit, the lower your per-month cost. If you want to play month-to-month without committing ahead, you pay the full $14.99.

These prices cover access to the base game and all expansions released so far. You do not need to buy each expansion separately once you have an active subscription. However, the most recent expansion, The War Within, is included in your subscription — you do not pay extra for it.

Key Takeaways

  • A one-month World of Warcraft subscription costs $14.99 in the United States, with discounts available if you pay for three or six months upfront.
  • Your subscription covers the base game and all expansions, including the current expansion, so there are no hidden expansion fees.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time, and your access ends at the end of the billing period you have already paid for.
  • Prices vary by region and country, so players outside the United States will see different amounts in their local currency.
  • The subscription does not include cosmetic items, battle passes, or in-game services like character transfers, which cost extra.

What the subscription includes

Your monthly fee gives you access to all playable content in World of Warcraft. This means you can level characters from 1 to the current level cap, run dungeons and raids, participate in player-versus-player combat, and explore all zones and areas. You can create multiple characters on the same account and play them all.

The subscription also includes access to the in-game social features: guilds, group finder tools, and chat. You can trade items with other players, use the auction house to buy and sell goods, and join raids with hundreds of other players. All of these features are part of your monthly cost.

One thing the subscription does not include is character boosts. Blizzard sells these separately. A character boost lets you skip the leveling process and start a new character at a high level. These typically cost between $15 and $20 per boost, depending on which expansion level you choose.

What costs extra beyond the subscription

Several things in World of Warcraft cost money on top of your subscription. The most common is the cosmetic shop, where you can buy mounts, pets, and character appearance changes. These items do not affect gameplay — they are purely visual. Prices for individual cosmetic items range from a few dollars to $20 or more.

Blizzard also charges for convenience services. Moving a character to a different server costs around $25. Changing your character's name costs about $10. Changing your character's appearance (race, gender, or class) costs between $15 and $30 depending on what you change. These are optional — you can play without ever using them.

The World of Warcraft Token is an in-game item you can buy with real money and sell to other players for in-game gold. This costs around $20 per token. It is a way to convert real money into in-game currency, but it is not required to play or progress.

How to pay and manage your subscription

You manage your World of Warcraft subscription through your Battle.net account, which is Blizzard's account system. You can sign up on the official World of Warcraft website or through the Battle.net launcher, which is the desktop application you use to download and launch the game.

When you set up your subscription, you provide a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. Blizzard charges you on the same day each month (or every three or six months if you chose a longer plan). You can change your payment method, pause your subscription, or cancel it at any time through your account settings.

If you cancel, your access continues until the end of the billing period you have already paid for. For example, if you pay on the 15th of each month and cancel on the 20th, you can still play until the 15th of the next month. After that date, you cannot log in unless you resubscribe.

Regional pricing and currency differences

The $14.99 price applies in the United States. Players in other regions pay in their local currency at rates set by Blizzard. European players, for example, pay in euros. Australian players pay in Australian dollars. The exact amount varies by country and can change if exchange rates shift significantly.

To find the price in your region, visit the World of Warcraft subscription page and select your country or region. The price will display in your local currency. If you are unsure which region your account is in, check your Battle.net account settings — your region is listed there.

Free trial and returning players

Blizzard offers a free trial that lets you play up to level 20 without paying. The trial includes access to most zones and features, though some social functions like creating a guild or using the auction house are restricted. The trial has no time limit — you can play as long as you want at level 20.

If you have played World of Warcraft before and stopped, you can return without paying anything until you decide to resubscribe. Your characters and items remain on your account. When you log back in, you will be at the level cap for the current expansion, and you can start playing immediately by resubscribing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play World of Warcraft without paying a subscription?

Yes, through the free trial up to level 20. Once you reach level 20, you must subscribe to continue playing. There is no free-to-play version of the full game.

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your access ends at the end of the billing period you have paid for. Your characters and items stay on your account. You can resubscribe at any time and pick up where you left off.

Do I have to buy the expansion separately?

No. All expansions are included in your subscription. You do not pay extra for The War Within or any other expansion once you are subscribed.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

Blizzard does not refund partial months. Your subscription runs until the end of the billing period. If you cancel on the 10th of a month but paid on the 1st, you keep access until the 1st of the next month.

Is the subscription price the same everywhere?

No. Prices vary by region and are shown in local currency. Check the World of Warcraft website for your specific country to see the exact price you will pay.