How to Make a Group Chat on Discord (Group DMs Explained)

A group DM is the quick option when you want a few people in one conversation without building a whole server. You can chat, call, share your camera and pin messages, all without channels or roles.

Here's how to set one up, the rules about who can add and remove people, and when a server makes more sense, all from Discord's own help page.

Before you start

Group DMs start from your Friends List, so everyone you want to add needs to be on it first. If they're not, here's how to add friends on Discord.

Create a group DM on desktop or browser

1. Click the Discord icon in the top left to open your Friends List.
2. Click the New Group DM icon in the top right corner.
3. Scroll through your friends or search by username.
4. Select everyone you want, then click Create Group DM.

Create a group DM on mobile

1. Tap the speech bubble icon to open your DMs.
2. Tap the New Group DM icon.
3. Search for or select the friends you want.
4. Tap Create Group DM.

Turn an existing chat into a group

You can also start a group from a one-to-one DM. It creates a new group chat and leaves your original DM as it was.

• Desktop or browser: open the DM, click the Add Friends to DM icon in the top right and select more friends.
• Mobile: open the DM, tap the username at the top, tap New Group DM and select more friends.

The 10-person limit

Discord caps group DMs at 10 members in total, and that includes you. Any member can add new people, but only up to that cap. If your group's bigger, Discord's own suggestion is to create a server instead.

Need	Group DM	Server
Up to 10 people	Yes	Yes
More than 10 people	No	Yes
Separate channels for topics	No	Yes
Roles and permissions	No	Yes
Quick chat with no setup	Yes	Takes a few minutes

Call the group

Any member can start a call at any time, and the call stays open as long as at least one person is in it. People can drop in and out freely.

• Voice call: click or tap the phone icon at the top of the group DM.
• Video call: click or tap the video camera icon. You can turn your camera on or off during the call.

Discord notes that browser video depends on your camera permissions, so allow camera access in your browser if it doesn't work. Calling from your phone instead? Here's how to call on Discord mobile.

Useful group features

• Mute notifications: on desktop, right-click the group in your Direct Messages list and choose Mute Notifications. On mobile, tap the group name, then the bell icon.
• Pinned messages: hover over a message, open the three dots and choose Pin Message, or long-press it on mobile. Everyone can see pins.
• Member list: view profiles or message members directly.

Rename the group or change its icon

On desktop, click the group's name at the top, edit it and press Save. Click the pencil icon to upload a new image or Remove Icon to go back to the default. On mobile, tap the group name, then the settings cog, then Customize Group. The new name shows for everyone in the group.

Who can remove people

Here's the rule people don't expect: only the person who created the group DM can remove members.

• Desktop: right-click the member's name in the member list and choose Remove From Group.
• Mobile: long-press their avatar in the chat, tap the three dots and choose Remove From Group.

If you're likely to need to manage the group, be the one who creates it.

Leave a group DM

Anyone can leave at any time. On desktop, right-click the group in your DM list and choose Leave Group. On mobile, tap the group name, then the settings cog, then Leave Group. Once you've left, you stop getting its messages and it disappears from your list. You can only get back in if a current member adds you again.

Keeping a busy group manageable

A few habits make a group DM easier to live with:

• Give it a clear name so it's easy to spot in your DM list. The name shows for everyone.
• Pin plans, links and reminders. From the pins panel, anyone can jump straight to the message.
• Mute it if it gets noisy. You'll stay in the chat but won't get desktop or push notifications.
• Adjust call sounds under User Settings, then Notifications on desktop, or Settings, then Notifications on mobile.

If the same small group keeps meeting up, a group DM is usually all you need. The moment you want different topics in different places, that's when a server makes more sense.

When calls drop out

A group call stays open while at least one person is still in it, so you can leave and rejoin without ending it for everyone. If video won't start in a browser, check Discord has camera access in your browser's settings, which Discord flags as the usual cause.

My advice

Use a group DM for small, quick conversations with people you already know. Create it yourself if you'll want control over who's in it, pin the important details, and move to a server the moment you hit 10 people or need separate topics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a group chat on Discord?

Open your Friends List, click the New Group DM icon in the top right, select your friends and click Create Group DM. On mobile, start from the speech bubble icon.

How many people can be in a Discord group chat?

Up to 10 members in total, including you. For bigger groups, Discord suggests creating a server.

Who can remove people from a Discord group DM?

Only the person who created the group DM can remove members.

Can I rejoin a Discord group chat after leaving?

Only if an existing member adds you back.

Can you video call in a Discord group chat?

Yes. Tap or click the video camera icon at the top of the group DM. Any member can start a call.