TL;DR
Yes, your kid can technically turn Robux into real USD, but the bar is higher than most people realize. To use the Developer Exchange (DevEx) program, they need at least 30,000 earned Robux (which converts to about $105 USD), a Roblox Premium subscription, and they must be at least 13 years old. It’s a legitimate way to learn game design and business, but for 99% of kids, it’s more of a hobby than a "side hustle."
Quick Links for the Roblox-Obsessed:
If your child has spent any time in Roblox, they’ve probably talked about Robux like it’s the new gold standard. They use it to buy "bloxy" hats, "Skibidi Toilet" avatars, or access to special perks in games like Adopt Me!.
DevEx (Developer Exchange) is the bridge that allows creators to move that value back into the real world. It’s the official program where Roblox buys back Robux from creators at a set exchange rate.
Think of it like this: your kid isn't just playing a game; they are technically a "vendor" on a platform. When other players spend Robux in their game or on their virtual clothing, your kid gets a cut. DevEx is the "cash out" button.
Before you start planning for early retirement based on your 10-year-old’s "obby" (obstacle course), let’s look at the math. Roblox doesn't make it easy to cash out. They have very specific gatekeeping rules:
- The Minimum Threshold: Your child must have at least 30,000 "earned" Robux in their account.
- "Earned" vs. "Bought": This is the kicker. You cannot buy 30,000 Robux on your credit card and then try to DevEx it back for cash. Roblox tracks where every Robux comes from. "Earned" means it came from selling game passes, developer products, or virtual items.
- The Exchange Rate: As of now, the rate is $0.0035 per Robux.
- 30,000 Robux = $105.00 USD.
- The Subscription Requirement: They must have an active Roblox Premium subscription.
- Age Requirement: They must be at least 13 years old.
If your kid is bragging that they have 5,000 Robux, they are still 25,000 short of even being eligible to see a single penny of real money.
It’s the ultimate "I told you so" to parents. Every kid who spends hours in Roblox Studio wants to prove that their "screen time" is actually "career prep."
There is a genuine sense of pride in seeing a notification that says someone bought a "Super Speed" boots pass in their game. For a middle schooler, earning $105 from a game they built feels like winning the lottery and getting a PhD at the same time. It validates their digital skills in a way that "good job on that Minecraft house" never will.
This is the part where the "fun game" becomes a "real business" and parents usually have to step in.
Roblox uses a third-party payment processor called Tipalti. When your child hits that first 30,000 Robux milestone and clicks "Exchange," they (and you) will be hit with a wall of adult responsibility:
- Tax Forms: They will have to fill out a W-9 (if in the US) or a W-8BEN (if international).
- Reporting Income: If your child earns more than $600 in a calendar year through DevEx, Roblox is required to report that to the IRS. You will receive a 1099-NEC form.
- Identity Verification: Roblox is very strict about this. They will likely require a government-issued ID (like a passport or learner's permit) to verify the account holder is who they say they are.
Pro Tip: If your kid is serious about this, keep a spreadsheet. The Robux they "earn" is gross income, but the Roblox Premium subscription they have to pay for to stay eligible is technically a business expense. (Okay, maybe don't go that far unless they're making thousands, but you get the point).
This is the $105 question.
On one hand, Roblox is an incredible entry point for learning Luau (a version of the Lua programming language), 3D modeling, and UI design. If your kid is actually using Roblox Studio to build things, they are learning skills that translate to high-paying jobs in tech.
On the other hand, the "economy" of Roblox is heavily weighted in favor of the house.
- When a kid sells an item for 100 Robux, Roblox takes a 30% platform fee immediately.
- The kid is left with 70 Robux.
- When they finally cash out that 70 Robux via DevEx, the exchange rate is significantly lower than the price you paid to buy the Robux in the first place.
Essentially, Roblox is taking a massive cut at every single turn. It is a "closed loop" economy designed to keep money inside the platform.
Check out our guide on whether Roblox is teaching kids good money habits
Ages 7-12: The Dreamer Phase
At this age, kids usually don't have the technical skill to reach the 30,000 Robux mark unless they get incredibly lucky with a viral "clothing" item.
- The Talk: Focus on the creation aspect. "It's cool that you're making a game! Don't worry about the money yet; just focus on making it fun."
- Safety: Watch out for "Free Robux" scams. Many sites promise to bypass the DevEx rules—these are always scams designed to steal their account.
Ages 13-15: The Side Hustle Phase
This is the sweet spot. They are legally allowed to use DevEx and might have the coding skills to make it happen.
- The Talk: "If you hit the 30k mark, we’ll sit down and look at the tax forms together."
- Safety: This is where they might encounter "development groups" or "studios." Some of these are great; others can be exploitative, asking kids to do "work" for the promise of Robux that never arrives.
Ages 16+: The Professional Phase
Some teens genuinely make thousands of dollars here. If your teen is at this level, they aren't just "playing games"—they are running a small software business.
- The Talk: You might need to talk about setting up a separate bank account and how to handle self-employment taxes.
While DevEx is a legitimate program, the ecosystem around it can be "Ohio" (weird/cringe/sketchy).
- Burnout: Kids can get obsessed with "the grind." If your child is stressed because their "concurrent player count" is dropping, it’s time to step in.
- The "Gambling" Element: Some kids try to make money by creating "loot box" mechanics in their games. Roblox has rules against this, but it’s a slippery slope.
- Predatory "Managers": There are older users who act as "talent scouts" for young developers. Always know who your kid is "working" with in the digital space.
If your kid loves the idea of making money from tech but Roblox feels too "pay-to-win," consider these:
- Scratch: Best for younger kids (8-11) to learn logic without the pressure of monetization.
- Minecraft (Education Edition): Great for learning architecture and basic logic.
- Unity: If they are outgrowing Roblox, Unity is the professional version. It’s what Cuphead and Among Us were built in.
Can your kid make real money on Roblox? Yes. Will they make enough to buy a car? Highly unlikely.
DevEx is a fantastic "carrot" to get kids interested in coding and business. It teaches them about platform fees, exchange rates, and the annoying reality of taxes. However, the 30,000 Robux threshold is a high bar that requires significant effort, creativity, and time.
If your kid is asking about it, don't shut them down. Use it as an opportunity to talk about how digital economies work. Just don't let them quit their "day job" (school) just yet.
- Check their balance: Ask them to show you their "Transactions" tab in Roblox. It will show you "Pending Robux"—this is the money they’ve actually earned from others.
- Verify their age: Ensure their account has the correct birthdate. You can't DevEx if the account says they are 10 when they are actually 14.
- Set a goal: If they want to reach 30,000, help them break it down. How many "Game Passes" do they need to sell? It’s a great math lesson.
Ask our chatbot for a script on how to talk to your teen about Roblox taxes