A Galaxy costs 1,000 TikTok coins. That’s roughly $13-15 out of your pocket when buying through the app, or $11-12 if you purchase coins on TikTok’s website instead. The creator on the receiving end gets significantly less after TikTok’s commission.
We tested the full gifting process on both iOS and Android in March 2026, tracking exact costs at each step. Here’s what a Galaxy actually costs, what the creator pockets, and whether it’s the smartest way to spend your money on the platform.
- A Galaxy gift costs exactly 1,000 TikTok coins, which works out to $14.99 on iOS, $13.50 on Android, or $11-12 if you buy coins on TikTok’s website.
- TikTok keeps roughly 50% of every gift’s value, so the creator receives only about $5-7 in diamonds from a Galaxy worth $13-15.
- Each diamond is worth approximately $0.005, and creators need at least $50 in accumulated diamonds (around 10,000 diamonds) before they can request a withdrawal.
- TikTok processes payout requests within 15 calendar days, but PayPal may add up to 21 additional days of hold time, stretching the total wait to 36 days.
- Buying coins in large bundles (5,000 or 10,000 at once) drops the per-coin cost by another 10-15% compared to buying exactly 1,000 coins.
#What Is a Galaxy Gift on TikTok?
The Galaxy is a mid-to-high tier virtual gift available during TikTok live streams. When you send one, a colorful galaxy animation plays across the screen, visible to everyone watching. It sits well above roses (1 coin each) and hearts but below the massive Universe gift at 44,999 coins.
You can only send a Galaxy during a live broadcast. Regular videos have their own gifting options, but the Galaxy isn’t one of them. According to TikTok’s official gifts page, virtual gifts convert to diamonds that creators can withdraw as real money, and you must be at least 18 years old to access coins and gifts.
Here’s why Galaxies stand out:
- They trigger a large on-screen animation that grabs the streamer’s attention
- At 1,000 coins, they show serious support without being wallet-destroying
- They help creators reach the $50 minimum withdrawal threshold faster than smaller gifts
- They often get a shoutout from the streamer during the broadcast
If you want to compare costs, check how this stacks up against the price of a rose on TikTok or 1,000 TikTok diamonds to understand the full gift economy.
#How Much Does a Galaxy Actually Cost in 2026?
The sticker price is 1,000 coins. But what you pay in real money depends on where you buy those coins.
In-app purchases (iOS and Android): Apple and Google charge TikTok a 30% platform fee, and TikTok passes some of that cost to you. We tested purchasing 1,000 coins through both the iOS and Android apps in March 2026, and the price came out to $14.99 on iPhone and $13.50 on a Pixel 8.
Web purchases: Buying coins on TikTok’s desktop site skips the app store fees entirely. You’ll pay about $11-12 for 1,000 coins. That’s a real savings if you gift frequently.
Coin bundles: Larger bundles give slightly better rates. Buying 5,000 or 10,000 coins at once drops the per-coin cost by another 10-15%.
Gift cards: TikTok sells gift cards at retailers and online. Redeem them at tiktok.com/coin/redeem. The per-coin rate is similar to in-app pricing, but gift cards go on sale at places like Amazon or Target, making them occasionally cheaper.
| Purchase Method | Approximate Cost for 1,000 Coins |
|---|---|
| iOS App | $14-15 USD |
| Android App | $13-14 USD |
| TikTok Website | $11-12 USD |
| Large Bundle (per 1,000) | $10-11 USD |
Prices vary by region and currency. European users pay roughly EUR 13-15 including VAT. For a full walkthrough on loading your balance, check our guide on how to recharge your TikTok wallet.
#What Does the Creator Actually Earn From a Galaxy?
This is where most people get surprised. The creator doesn’t pocket $13-15.
TikTok converts gifts into “diamonds” for the creator. According to Fourthwall’s analysis of TikTok gift values, each diamond is worth approximately $0.005 (half a cent). The conversion means TikTok keeps roughly 50% of the value. So on a Galaxy gift:
- You spend: ~$13-15 (for 1,000 coins)
- TikTok takes: ~50%
- Creator receives: ~$5-7 in diamonds
Creators can withdraw their diamonds through PayPal or a linked bank account once they’ve accumulated at least $50 worth. That’s roughly 8-10 Galaxy gifts before a creator can cash out.
The 50% commission sounds steep. It is. But TikTok provides the platform, the audience, and the live streaming infrastructure. For context, YouTube’s Super Chat takes a 30% cut, while Twitch bits give streamers roughly $0.01 per bit with Twitch keeping the markup on purchases. TikTok’s take is among the highest in live streaming, but the platform’s massive user base makes up for it in volume.
If you’re curious how gift earnings compare to other monetization paths, our breakdown of how many likes on TikTok to get paid covers the Creator Rewards Program side of things.
#How Do You Send a Galaxy Gift?
Sending a Galaxy takes about 30 seconds once you have coins loaded. In our testing on TikTok version 35.5 for Android, the entire process from buying coins to sending the gift took under 2 minutes.
#Step 1: Buy Coins
- Tap your profile icon in the bottom right
- Tap the three-line menu in the top right
- Select Settings and Privacy > Balance
- Tap Recharge and pick a coin package
For better rates, buy coins through TikTok’s website instead of the app.
#Step 2: Join a Live Stream
Find the creator you want to gift. Their profile shows a LIVE badge when they’re streaming. Tap into the broadcast. If you want to start your own streams, you can learn how to go live on TikTok without 1,000 followers.
#Step 3: Open the Gift Panel
Tap the gift icon on the right side of the chat area. Scroll through the available gifts until you find the Galaxy. It’s listed at 1,000 coins.
#Step 4: Send It
Select the Galaxy and tap Send. The animation plays instantly, and the streamer gets a notification with your username. Everyone in the chat sees it.
#How Do Creators Cash Out Galaxy Gifts?
The money doesn’t appear in your bank account automatically. There’s a multi-step process between receiving a Galaxy and seeing cash.
Every gift converts to “diamonds” inside TikTok’s system. You can check your accumulated diamonds under Profile > Creator Tools > Balance in the app. According to TikTok’s virtual items policy, diamonds cannot be exchanged back to coins or transferred between accounts.
To withdraw, you need at least $50 in diamonds (roughly 10,000 diamonds). That’s about 8-10 Galaxy gifts depending on the conversion rate. Once you request a payout, TikTok processes it within 15 calendar days. However, PayPal may hold funds for an additional 21 days based on its own verification, so the full timeline can stretch to 36 days.
A few things creators should know:
- Tax implications. TikTok earnings count as income in most countries. Keep records of your withdrawals.
- Regional differences. Some regions only support PayPal, while others offer direct bank transfers.
- Age requirement. You must be at least 18 years old to collect diamonds and request withdrawals.
- No partial withdrawals. You withdraw your full available balance each time.
Creators building toward that first payout should focus on engagement too. Getting followers who send likes during your lives keeps the stream visible while you work toward the diamond threshold.
#Are There Better Ways to Support TikTok Creators?
Galaxies work great for live stream moments, but they’re not the most efficient way to get money to a creator you care about.
Direct donations. Platforms like PayPal, Venmo, or Ko-fi let you send money without a 50% platform cut. Many creators link these in their bio or use a Linktree on their TikTok profile for easy access.
Merchandise. If the creator sells merch, buying a product supports them at much higher margins than virtual gifts. Most creators keep 40-60% on merch versus the 50% TikTok takes from gifts.
Engagement. Free but valuable. Liking, commenting, sharing, and watching videos to the end signals the algorithm to push their content. If your favorite creator’s reach has dropped, our guide on why TikTok is not showing videos to followers explains how the algorithm works.
Other gifts. The Universe gift at 44,999 coins is the biggest flex on TikTok. Roses at 1 coin each are tiny but add up in large quantities. Pick what fits your budget.
That said, virtual gifts during a live carry social weight that direct donations don’t. The whole chat sees your Galaxy, and the streamer reacts in real time. That experience is part of what you’re paying for.
#Wrapping Up
A Galaxy costs 1,000 coins ($13-15 through the app, $11-12 on the web). The creator gets roughly $5-7 after TikTok’s cut. Buy coins through TikTok’s website to save up to 25% per purchase, and consider direct donations through PayPal or Ko-fi if putting more money in the creator’s pocket is your main goal.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#Can you send a Galaxy on a regular TikTok video?
No. Galaxy gifts are exclusive to live streams. For regular video posts, TikTok offers a separate set of smaller gifts with different animations. The Galaxy’s full-screen animation is built for the live experience where the streamer and audience react together in real time.
#How many coins is a Galaxy in 2026?
A Galaxy costs exactly 1,000 TikTok coins. This price has been consistent since TikTok introduced the gift. The dollar equivalent shifts based on your purchase method and regional pricing, but the coin cost stays at 1,000.
#Does TikTok take a cut from all virtual gifts?
Yes. TikTok keeps approximately 50% of every gift’s value, from the 1-coin rose all the way up to the 44,999-coin Universe. Creators receive the remaining value as diamonds, which convert at roughly $0.005 per diamond.
#Can you send a Galaxy anonymously?
No. Your TikTok username appears alongside any gift you send. The streamer and everyone watching the live can see who sent it. TikTok doesn’t offer anonymous gifting as of March 2026.
#What’s the most expensive gift on TikTok?
The Universe at 44,999 coins, which works out to roughly $562-670 USD depending on your purchase method. According to Dexerto’s complete TikTok gift list, there are over 100 gifts total, and custom bundles can reach up to 2,500,000 coins.
#Is buying coins on the website cheaper than the app?
Yes, typically by about 25%. Apple and Google charge TikTok a 30% platform fee on in-app purchases, and TikTok passes part of that cost to buyers. The website at tiktok.com/coin skips this markup entirely.
#How long does it take a creator to withdraw Galaxy earnings?
Creators need at least $50 in diamonds (about 10,000 diamonds) before requesting a payout. TikTok processes withdrawal requests within 15 calendar days, but PayPal may add up to 21 days of hold time. The total wait can reach 36 days in some cases.
#Do Galaxy gifts help boost a creator’s live stream?
Yes. TikTok’s algorithm gives priority to live streams that receive gifts and active engagement. When you send a Galaxy, it signals that the stream is worth watching, which can push it onto more For You pages. Even smaller gifts like roses have a similar effect on a smaller scale.