Table of Contents

How to See All Money Spent on Steam: A Deep Dive

Want to know the true cost of your digital gaming habits? Peeking behind the curtain to see exactly how much money you’ve spent on Steam can be a sobering, yet enlightening experience. Thankfully, Steam provides a relatively straightforward way to access this information, though it might require a little digging. The process involves using the Steam website, logging into your account, and navigating to your External Funds Used section within the account details.

Accessing Your Steam Purchase History

The most accurate way to see your overall spending on Steam is by using the platform’s built-in tool. Forget third-party trackers, this method pulls directly from Valve’s servers for definitive accuracy.

Step-by-Step Guide

Log into your Steam account via a web browser. This method only works on the web version of Steam, not the desktop application. Navigate to the Steam website (store.steampowered.com) and ensure you’re logged in with the correct account. This is crucial if you have multiple Steam accounts.
Access your Account Details. Once logged in, hover over your profile name in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear. Select “Account Details” from this menu.
Find “View purchase history”. On the Account Details page, look for the section titled “Store & Purchase History“. Underneath this section, you’ll find a link that reads “View purchase history.” Click on this link.
Use the External Funds Used Tool. At the top of your purchase history is a tool called “External Funds Used“. Clicking this will reveal the total amount of money you’ve spent on Steam across your entire account history. Keep in mind this excludes wallet funds and redeemed gift cards. It only displays funds added via payment methods such as credit cards and Paypal.

Understanding the Results

The figure displayed by the External Funds Used tool represents the cumulative total of all purchases made with external payment methods linked to your Steam account. It is essential to understand that this does not include funds added to your Steam Wallet using gift cards or funds earned through selling items on the Steam Community Market. For a complete picture, you’ll need to factor in those sources separately. The tool also does not account for refunds received. The total reflects the gross amount spent.

Why Track Your Steam Spending?

Beyond pure curiosity, understanding your Steam spending can be incredibly beneficial.

Budgeting: Knowledge is power. Knowing how much you spend on games helps you create a realistic entertainment budget.
Financial Awareness: You might be surprised at how quickly small purchases add up. Tracking your spending promotes better financial habits.
Informed Purchasing Decisions: By seeing how much you’ve already spent, you might be more selective about future game purchases.
Account Security: Monitoring your purchase history can help you identify unauthorized transactions and take steps to secure your account.

Additional Considerations

While the External Funds Used tool is a great starting point, it doesn’t tell the whole story. To get a truly comprehensive view of your Steam spending, consider the following:

Steam Wallet Funds: Manually calculate the amount of money you’ve added to your Steam Wallet using gift cards or by selling items on the Steam Community Market.
Game Bundles: Remember the value of game bundles. While Steam often shows the discounted price, factor in the original prices of the individual games.
In-Game Purchases: Many games offer in-app purchases. Keep track of these expenses separately.
Refunds: Subtract any refunded amounts from your total spending to get a more accurate picture.

By combining the information from the External Funds Used tool with your own records of Steam Wallet funds, in-game purchases, and refunds, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of your total Steam spending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most common questions related to tracking your Steam spending:

1. Is the Steam “External Funds Used” tool accurate?

The Steam “External Funds Used” tool is generally accurate for tracking purchases made directly with external payment methods. However, it does not include Steam Wallet funds or refunds.

2. Can I see a breakdown of my spending by game?

Unfortunately, Steam doesn’t provide a detailed breakdown of your spending per game through the “External Funds Used” tool. You would have to go through your individual purchase history and add the amounts manually.

3. How far back does my Steam purchase history go?

Your Steam purchase history typically includes all transactions since the creation of your account.

4. Can I export my Steam purchase history?

Steam doesn’t offer a direct export function for your purchase history. However, you can manually copy and paste the information into a spreadsheet.

5. Does the Steam “External Funds Used” tool include taxes?

Yes, the amount displayed in the “External Funds Used” tool includes any applicable taxes.

6. I can’t find the “External Funds Used” tool. Where is it?

Ensure you are accessing your account through a web browser and not the Steam desktop client. Log in, navigate to “Account Details,” then “View purchase history,” and the tool should be at the top of the page.

7. Can I hide my purchase history from others?

Your Steam purchase history is only visible to you unless you choose to share your account information.

8. What if I see an unauthorized transaction on my Steam account?

Immediately contact Steam Support. They can investigate the transaction and help you secure your account.

9. Does changing my Steam region affect my purchase history?

Changing your Steam region doesn’t affect your purchase history. All past transactions will still be visible.

10. Can I see how much money I’ve earned from selling items on the Steam Community Market?

Yes, your Steam Wallet history shows all transactions related to the Community Market, including earnings from sales. Access it from the same “Account Details” page.

11. Does Steam track spending on DLC and in-game items?

Yes, Steam tracks all purchases made through the Steam platform, including DLC and in-game items.

12. How do I prevent overspending on Steam?

Set a budget for your Steam purchases, use the wishlist feature to prioritize games, wait for sales, and be mindful of impulse purchases. Tools like the “External Funds Used” can assist in keeping track of it.