Cheats & codes
The Sims 3 Cheat Codes
Grouped by type and platform, each one labelled reported working or tested.
There are 41 cheat codes for The Sims 3 across PC (Microsoft Windows). Each code below lists the exact button combination or console command, what it does, and whether using it disables achievements.
Cheat codes
6Fill needs
With testing cheats on, the mailbox menu can refill the household's needs.
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then hold shift and click the mailbox.
Move objects anywhere
Removes placement restrictions in build and buy mode.
Open the console with Ctrl+Shift+C and type the command.
Open the cheat console
Opens the text box every other cheat is typed into.
Press all three keys together during play. A box appears at the top of the screen.
Set career level
The Sims 3 has no promote command - careers.promote belongs to The Sims 4. With testing cheats on, drag the job performance bar to full instead, and the promotion comes at the end of the next working day.
Type testingcheatsenabled true first, then drag the performance meter in the career panel.
Unlock all build objects
Adds hidden debug objects to the buy catalogue.
Open the console and type the command.
Unlock testing options
Enables shift-clicking on sims and objects for a large hidden menu.
Open the console and type the command.
Some options in this menu can corrupt a save. Keep a backup.
Console commands
35Add Sim to Active Family
Instantly moves the clicked Sim into your played household
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click a Sim not in your household and choose Add to Active Family
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Buy Debug Items
Opens a hidden "?" section in Buy Mode full of normally unavailable debug items such as spawners and special collectibles
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Constrain Floor Elevation
With false, lets you raise and lower terrain and floors even where walls, floors or objects are in the way; true restores the restriction
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Disable Alt Snapping to Slots
While on, objects you are placing while holding Alt will not snap into surface slots (e.g. on tables and counters), so you can position clutter freely
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Disco Map Tags
Makes the town map icons flash and cycle through colors, just for fun; use discotags 0 to stop (also accepts on/true and off/false). Needs testingcheatsenabled true first
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Edit Sim in Create-a-Sim
Sends the clicked Sim back into Create-a-Sim so you can redo their appearance
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click a Sim and choose Edit Sim in Create-a-Sim
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Enable Testing Cheats
Switches on the game's debug/testing mode, which unlocks the Shift+Click options below, lets you drag need and relationship bars with the mouse, and lets you Ctrl+Click moodlets to delete them. Enter it first — many other cheats need it active (use testingcheatsenabled false to turn off)
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Force Career Opportunity or Event
Triggers a career opportunity, a single career event, or one of every career event for that job
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click your Sim's workplace and choose Force Opportunity, Force Event or Force All Events
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Force NPC or Visitor
Summons a service NPC of your choice (pizza delivery, firefighter, Grim Reaper, etc.) or a random visiting Sim to your lot
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Force NPC or Force Visitor
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Hide Headline Effects
Hides the plumbob and thought/speech bubbles floating over Sims' heads (handy for screenshots and filming); off brings them back
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
List Console Commands
Lists the console commands currently available; type help [command name] for a note on one specific command
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Llama Notifications (Joke)
A joke command the developers left in — it only pops up silly llama notifications and changes nothing in gameplay
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Make All Happy
Fills the mood of every Sim in your household
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Make All Happy
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Make Friends for Me
Gives the active Sim a set of random new friends from around town
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Make Friends for Me
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Make Me Know Everyone
Makes the active Sim acquainted with every Sim in the town
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Make Me Know Everyone
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Make Needs Static
Freezes all of your household's need bars so they stop decaying (use Make Needs Dynamic on the mailbox to unfreeze them)
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Make Needs Static
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Modify Traits for Active Sim
Opens a window to change the clicked Sim's personality traits
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click a Sim and choose Modify Traits for Active Sim
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Move Objects Freely
Lets you pick up and place almost anything in Build/Buy mode — including Sims and objects that normally cannot overlap; off restores normal placement rules
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Quit Game
Closes the game immediately, without prompting you to save
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Random Joke
Prints a random corny joke in the console — purely for fun, no gameplay effect
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Reset Sim
Cancels what the named Sim is doing and puts them back home in a safe, neutral state; the standard fix for a stuck or frozen Sim (e.g. resetSim Mortimer Goth). Does not change their needs or mood
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Set Career
Lets you pick a new career and career level for the active Sim on the spot
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the mailbox and choose Set Career
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Set Household Funds
Sets the named household's money to the exact amount typed, e.g. familyFunds Goth 40000 (type the number with no commas; the capital F in familyFunds is required)
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Show FPS Counter
Shows or hides a frames-per-second counter in the top-right corner of the screen
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Show Map Tags
Shows or hides the lot icons on the zoomed-out town map view; has no effect while in Edit Town mode
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Slow Motion Visuals
Puts the visuals into slow motion, 0 being normal speed and 8 the slowest; does not slow the in-game clock (e.g. slowMotionViz 4)
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Teleport Me Here
Warps your active Sim straight to the spot you clicked
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click the ground and choose Teleport Me Here
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Toggle Fullscreen
Switches the game between fullscreen and windowed display
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Toggle Game Audio
Mutes or unmutes all of the game's audio at once
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Toggle Object Fading
Controls whether nearby objects fade out when the camera gets very close to them; never applies to Sims themselves
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Trigger Age Transition
Forces the clicked Sim to age up to the next life stage right away
Enable testingcheatsenabled true, then Shift+Click a Sim and choose Trigger Age Transition
Testing cheats can disable achievements/trophies on some versions — use a separate save
Unlock Career Outfits
Unlocks career and service uniforms (police, firefighter, etc.) in Create-a-Sim
Open the console and enter it BEFORE entering Create-a-Sim, then press Enter
Add 50,000 Simoleons
Instantly adds 50,000 Simoleons to the active household's funds; can be entered repeatedly
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Add 1,000 Simoleons
Instantly adds 1,000 Simoleons to the active household's funds
Press Ctrl+Shift+C to open the console, type the command and press Enter
Free Real Estate
Makes every empty lot in the world cost nothing when you are moving a household in; enter testingcheatsenabled true first
Open the console from the Edit Town / move-in screen, before placing the family, type and press Enter
Tools for The Sims 3 cheats
-
Why is my cheat not working?
Answer a few questions and get the specific reason, from our guides.
-
Search The Sims 3 codes by effect
Type "money" or "god mode" and find the code, typos forgiven.
-
Test your controller and button sequences
See every button respond, and check a sequence press by press.
Quick answers