Make Friends Online & Join Communities Who Share Your Hobbies
Whether it’s tabletop RPGs, card games, cosplay, video games, or building things. Nerd out, make friends, join groups, and embark on adventure 100% free.
Your Interests. Your People. Your Community.
- Find other users who share your interests, whether they’re nearby or across the world.
- Create and join groups based on your favorite activities, hobbies, games, or fandoms.
- Chat, share, and collaborate in real-time with like-minded individuals.
- Enjoy powerful privacy and safety controls—manage who sees your content and interact only on your terms
Explore Without Limits
- Explore and join communities for gaming, cosplay, tech, books, outdoor fun, and more.
- Have 100% control of your social media feed—see exactly what interests you, free from algorithms.
- Find and follow events, discussions, and trending topics related to your favorite things.
- Try something new—whether it’s a new RPG system, creative hobby, or outdoor activity, Nerd Culture makes it easy to dive in.
Make Every Day an Epic Quest
- Try out new hobbies and master your passions with a supportive community.
- Create and attend events, whether in-person or virtual, and connect with people who love what you love.
- Join campaigns, game nights, maker studios, outdoor adventures to turn online connections into real-life fun.
- Start your next great journey—whether it’s building something amazing, learning a new skill, traveling to conventions, or finding your next gaming crew.
What is Nerd Culture?
Nerd Culture’s mission is to make finding your people effortless. We know how hard it can be to meet friends who actually get your obsessions. That’s why we created a space where you can connect over what you love, dive into your favorite fandoms, and build meaningful communities both online and IRL.
Everyone’s a nerd for something, whether you’re obsessed with tabletop RPGs, gardening, cosplay, cooking, video games, escape rooms, building things, or outdoor adventures. Nerd Culture is your safe space to find friends online, start new hobbies, explore online communities, meet new people, and embark on quests.
FAQ for Nerd Culture & Making Friends Online
Is Nerd Culture free?
Yes, this site is 100% free for all users and organizations. We do not have any costs associated with creating any type of profile, group, community, and event. We don’t place paywalls on searching groups or members. Please keep in mind that some organizers or communities might charge to join a group, but we do not manage any transactions or take fees in these instances. Nerd Culture is here to provide a fun and equitable platform for you to find friends online who share your passions, and to explore new hobbies.
How does Nerd Culture work?
It’s super easy! Start by creating your free member or organization profile. Most fields are totally optional, and you control your privacy settings—so you can share as much (or as little) as you want.
Next, explore our member directory to find like-minded people who share your interests. You can search by hobbies, location, and more to start building real connections.
Then, dive into the heart of the platform: Groups and Events. Join or create communities based on your favorite games, fandoms, crafts, or creative passions. You can also host or attend events—both virtual and in-person—to bring those connections to life.
And just a heads-up: we have a clear and strict Code of Conduct to keep this community safe, kind, and welcoming. Be respectful, inclusive, and awesome—or you’ll be shown the door faster than a critical hit on a loaded D20.
How do I find and meet people with similar interests online?
Great question, we’ve made it fun and easy!
Start by creating your free profile and selecting your favorite Nerd Cultures (our name for interest tags that reflect your passions). Whether you’re into D&D, cosplay, Minecraft, basketball, coding, anime, crafting, or K-pop, adding your interests helps match you with like-minded members across the platform.
Then, use powerful filters to search for other members based on shared interests, location, group memberships, hangout preference (virtual or in-person), availability, and more. Whether you’re looking to find D&D groups, find MTG players, or just find gamers online who share your exact vibe it’s all just a few clicks away.
You can also browse public groups, topic-based communities, and our growing list of events to join in on conversations, find activities, or start your own! Into card games? You can find TCG & CCG players near you or online, or even connect with professional Game Masters running curated campaigns and sessions.
Want to build deeper connections?
- Send a message or join a group chat
- RSVP to a virtual or in-person event
- Start your own group around a shared hobby
- Or simply comment, share, and explore at your own pace
Whether you’re an outgoing extrovert or a chill observer, there’s space for you here. Friendships happen naturally when people share what they love—and Nerd Culture makes that easier than ever.
We recommend that users watch our quick Member Search and Group Search Tutorials, so that you can get the have experience as you find new friends and communities online.
What kind of groups can I create?
You can create themed or topic-based communities, gaming parties, hobby groups, book clubs, hacklabs, sport teams, and even event-based groups that are virtual or in-person. You can create or join as many groups as you have interests. We believe that everyone is a nerd for something, so it is important to us that we create a platform that has no limit to the types of groups and communities that can be created and hosted on Nerd Culture.
We recommend that users watch our Group Creation Tutorials. We have several that are each dedicated to different examples of groups you can create, manage, and join.
How can I message and talk to others that I meet on Nerd Culture?
Once you’ve found new people online with shared interests, staying connected is easy! Nerd Culture features a real-time messaging system that lets you chat and video call one-on-one or in groups.
Features include:
- Send private messages to other members
- Create or join group chats for your favorite games, hobbies, or events
- Share images, files, and links directly in chat
- Secure API connection to Giphy, so you can search and send all your favorite gifs and memes to your new friends online right from the messenger
- React with emojis or reply to specific messages in threads
- Even jump on voice or video calls when words just aren’t enough
- Powerful and secure two-way data encryption
And most importantly, you’re always in control. You can customize who can message you, report unwanted behavior, and block anyone who crosses the line. All conversations are protected with modern security and privacy tools, so you can feel safe connecting with others on your terms.
Whether you’re planning how to derail your DM’s next campaign, squading up your Call of Duty team, or geeking out over your latest project—Nerd Culture gives you the space to talk, share, and build friendships safely.
You can learn more about our powerful messaging and call features in our tutorial video.
How does Nerd Culture keep users safe?
You have full control over your visibility, interactions, and experience. We offer powerful privacy tools, communication guardrails, community moderation features, and clear safety guidelines; which include, but are not limited to:
- You can control all of your privacy and visibility settings at a profile level or for each field
- Users can quickly report, restrict and block users and content across all elements of the platform. We have automatic account suspension and banning features in place to protect users.
- Users can only message each other after connecting
- We have negative phrase blocking and detection across all elements of the platform, which is regularly being updated
- Email validation keys required to ensure real email addresses and people are signing up
- Multi-factor authentication for account security
- Multiple levels and placements of reCAPTCHA v3
- Platform messages and calls are not saved to our database, and are completely sent through multi-level encryption
We recommend that users check out our Online Safety Guide and watch our Platform Security and Safety Features tutorial video.
What does Nerd Culture mean?
We often get asked, “what is nerd culture?” Or “what is the meaning of nerd culture?
Nerd Culture is all about passion—loving something deeply, enthusiastically, and without apology. Originally, the term “nerd” was often used to stereotype people who were into things like tabletop roleplaying games, comic books, fantasy novels, computers, or science fiction. You know—Dungeons & Dragons in the basement, staying up late writing code, watching Star Trek reruns, or geeking out over a Tolkien map.
But here’s the thing: those same interests helped build vibrant, imaginative, and incredibly creative communities. They encouraged collaboration, storytelling, innovation, and curiosity. And over time, those so-called “niche” interests became the foundation of a culture that’s now celebrated around the world.
Today, nerd culture is everywhere—and it’s more diverse than ever. It still includes the classics like:
- Tabletop games like D&D, Pathfinder, Warhammer, and Call of Cthulhu
- Video games, from retro arcade titles to modern MMOs and indie games
- Sci-fi & fantasy fandoms, from Star Wars and The Witcher to Brandon Sanderson and Studio Ghibli
- Comics, graphic novels, and manga
- Anime & cosplay communities
- Coding, robotics, AI, and maker spaces
- Board games, trading card games, and puzzle-solving
- LARPing and reenactment communities
But it’s also expanded to include people who are deeply into:
- From crafting, DYI it, prop-making, cosplay to high-fashion
- Cooking to health and fitness
- Romance novels to mainstream young adult novels
- Live streaming just about anything, game modding, and digital storytelling
- Collecting and fan theory-building for popular TV shows
- Even things like sports, gardening, music, and home improvements — if you love it, and love learning more about it, that’s nerdy energy!
At Nerd Culture, we believe being a nerd just means being unapologetically passionate. Whether you’re an introvert looking for a cozy book group, a cosplayer prepping for the next con, a sports enthusiast looking for your fun fantasy league, or someone who just loves building things with your hands—you’re part of this.
We’re proud that nerd culture has gone mainstream, not because it’s trendy, but because it means more people feel seen, included, and free to be themselves. It’s no longer about gatekeeping—it’s about welcoming others in.
So, what does Nerd Culture mean?
It means you’ve found your people. 🧙🎮📚🛠️🎲🧪🏈🎸
Is this site only for hardcore gamers, cosplayers, and tech enthusiasts?
NO! We firmly believe that everyone is a nerd for something. Being a nerd about something or many things is a compliment. To be strived to achieve.
Oxford’s Dictionary defines a Nerd as “a person who is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a particular subject, especially one of specialist or niche interest.”
Whether you are into dungeon and dragons, cosplay, film, football, books, coding, crafts, hiking or just looking for new friends who get your weird and wonderful interests, there’s a place for you here.
How do I get a free verified account?
Verification is recommended and comes at no cost, because together we can ensure a safe and friendly environment for our users.
Why verify your account (other than getting that cool looking gold checkbox)?
- We do not store any personal data that is used to verify your account. It is immediately destroyed after verification review
- It enables additional security around your account and online presence
- It helps other users feel safer and more comfortable interacting with you
- It helps other users have more trust with your comments and information you provide when participating within communities
- It protects and gives you ownership of your brand, organization, influencer, public figure, or celebrity profile on Nerd Culture
To start the process, please visit our verification form, which only takes a few minutes to complete. Our team will review your application and let you know if you are verified within 72hrs.
How do I find a video gaming squad, a D&D campaign, or trading card duelers?
Nerd Culture makes it easy to make new friends online. Find your people, new squad, campaign party, or someone to battle over curated decks.
Here’s how to get started:
- Create your free profile and tag your favorite games, systems, and decks using our Nerd Cultures (interest tags)
- Set your “hangout preference” to show if you’re looking for in-person, virtual, or hybrid play
- Search for groups focused on your favorite titles—whether it’s Fortnite, Diablo IV, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, D&D, Pathfinder, or any other game you love
- Filter by location, availability, and system so you can find games that work for your schedule and your play style
- Browse local game nights, virtual campaigns, or TCG tournaments
And if you don’t see something that fits? Cast a net by starting a new group and let people know what you are looking to play. Be the D&D party founder, guild leader, or tournament host. Add your tags, set the vibe, and let like-minded players find you.
Whether you’re rolling dice, climbing the ranked ladder, or drawing your last card—Nerd Culture is your HQ for finding epic teammates, rivals, and new friends.
For more recommendations check out our Gamer Group Search Tutorial.
Can I find groups and new friends locally?
Yes! Whether you’re wondering how to make friends in a new city or just want to connect with locals who share your hobbies, you can use our search tools by location filters, joining local groups, or attending in-person events near you
Please keep in mind that sharing location data is up to each user and organizer, so not every member or group will appear when filtering in this way. We strongly recommend that users are careful with the level of location data that they provide on the platform, and with sharing their location information with others that they meet.
Please read our Safety Guide for Making New Friends Online and our Code of Conduct for more information.
What is the difference between Nerd Culture and other platforms?
Short answer? We’re not here for brain rot, rage-bait, or doomscrolling.
Nerd Culture is a social community platform built to connect real people over real passions, not to keep you mindlessly scrolling through trends, drama threads, or carefully curated “perfect lives.”
We’re not Facebook or Instagram. You don’t need to friend your cousin’s ex’s dog groomer or data mine everything about your life.
We’re not Meetup. You’re not limited to one-off events you’ll forget about tomorrow.
We’re not Reddit. You’re not just shouting into the void for karma points.
And we’re not Discord. You don’t need twenty invite links to have one decent conversation.
Instead, Nerd Culture gives you:
- A profile that actually reflects your interests, not just your highlight reels, and allows you to find like-minded fiends
- Groups and events built around shared hobbies, not followers or clout
- A 100% customizable feed, so you see what you care about – not what the algorithm wants you to rage-click and be obsessed with
- A platform that encourages your growth, learning, adventure, and valuable connections with people who love the same weird, wonderful things you do
We’re here for creators, gamers, makers, dreamers, readers, builders, cosplayers, and curious minds—not for toxic comment threads or “how to get rich in 30 days” reels.
Basically: less noise, more nerd.
How can I support Nerd Culture?
We’re glad you asked, the best way to support Nerd Culture is by using it and sharing it! Invite your friends, form groups, join events, post your passions, and be the kind of community member you’d want to meet. The more you engage, the more magical this place becomes.
Want to go full legendary?
- Create and join groups, spark conversations, host events, and help your communities grow.
- Suggest new Nerd Cultures (interest tags) or topics you think we’re missing—we need your nerdy insight!
- Apply to our Feature Development Group to help shape what we build next.
- Join our Mod Squad and help keep Nerd Culture kind, respectful, and safe for all.
- Oh, and while Nerd Culture will always be free, if you feel like tossing a few coins into our treasure chest (to help with server costs, development, and growing our community), we’ll totally name an NPC in your honor. Probably. 😉
Visit this page to find out more ways you can support Nerd Culture.
Can influencers and content creators benefit from Nerd Culture?
Absolutely—as long as you’re here for community, not just clout.
If you’re a content creator, streamer, artist, writer, builder, educator, fitness guru, or just someone passionate about what you do – Nerd Culture gives you the tools to grow your presence without playing the algorithm game.
Here’s how it helps:
- Directly connect with your audience—no algorithm hiding your posts or asking you to pay to boost for visibility
- Create and lead your own groups and events centered around your niche, fandom, or creative work
- Drive traffic to your external platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Etsy, Patreon, or Ko-fi by sharing content and building relationships with people who actually care
- Host live gaming sessions, promote launches, run contests, and gather feedback in a space that’s designed for meaningful interaction, not mindless scrolling
Whether you’re sharing cosplay progress pics, starting a book club, livestreaming TTRPG sessions, giving people advice on how to stay healthy, or inviting followers to your next con meetup, Nerd Culture is your home base for creating real connections with your fans and followers.
You don’t have to fight for attention here. Just show up, be awesome, and let your creativity do the rest.
Can businesses and organizations benefit from Nerd Culture?
100%. Especially if you’re tired of shouting into the algorithmic abyss of other social media platforms.
Nerd Culture gives businesses, creators, and organizations the ability to connect directly with communities and customers who are directly relevant to their services and content without having to pay for visibility or play social media roulette.
Here’s what makes it better:
- No pay-to-play wall—you can actually reach your followers and members without boosting or buying reach
- Create your own group or brand hub, where you can engage with your audience through posts, discussions, and events
- Promote your products, services, or content in a way that feels natural and community-centered
- Drive traffic to your shop, stream, or site—whether it’s Etsy, your own website, or storefront
- Start real conversations, build brand trust, and be part of the fandoms and hobbies your audience already loves
Nerd Culture is built to help brands with soul thrive. Whether you’re a game developer, game shop, handmade dice seller, event organizer, publisher, fitness coach, clothing company, or local café that hosts game nights—this is your space to connect with customers like actual humans and grow through community, not ads.
It’s not just another marketing platform. It’s where passion meets purpose.
What if I don’t find a group or members for my interests or area yet?
Nerd Culture is a growing community, and that means sometimes you get to be the first to start something awesome. If you don’t see a group or member match for your favorite hobby, fandom, or area—create it! Start a group, host an event, or simply add your interests to your profile. You never know who’s going to show up next.
Thousands of new members are joining all the time, and fresh communities are forming every day. So check back often, stay active, and know that by putting yourself out there, you’re helping shape the culture of the platform—and probably making someone else’s day when they find your group!
Every epic community starts with one person saying, “Hey… want to do this together?”
Does Nerd Culture have a mobile app
Not yet—but it’s coming soon!
While we’re still putting the finishing touches on our mobile app (stay tuned—it’s just a few months away!), you can use Nerd Culture right now on any device. Our platform is fully optimized for mobile browsers, so whether you’re checking in from your laptop, your tricked-out gaming PC, your tablet, or your phone—we’ve got you covered.
The entire experience and all features work smoothly on any smartphone; from browsing groups and messaging friends to joining events and updating your profile.
So while we don’t have an official app just yet, you can still dive into Nerd Culture anytime, anywhere—and we promise, the full mobile app will be worth the wait. 😉
Is Nerd Culture a dating site?
Nerd Culture is first and foremost a platform for making real friendships and building communities online around shared interests. Whether you’re here to find a new gaming group, join a cosplay crew, find your kickball team, or dive into your next favorite hobby—romance is definitely not the goal.
But let’s be honest: when passionate people come together to do what they love, sparks can happen. And if you end up finding someone who gets your love for dice hoarding, Studio Ghibli marathons, or soldering circuits at 2AM—well, we’re cheering for you. 💘
So no, we’re not a dating site. But we are a place where awesome connections happen. The rest is up to you and the dice god.
Can I have multiple accounts?
Yes, you can create multiple profiles on Nerd Culture and easily switch between them, but each one will be associated to a unique email address and username.
There are many reasons why you might need more than one Nerd Culture account when making and finding friends online. For example, you might have a personal profile and a separate one for your business or influencer activities. In other instances you might want to have one dedicated to your D&D personas and adventures, while a second for your other interests and pursuits. In either, case you can also verify multiple accounts.
We recommend that you do not create extra accounts heedlessly. Accounts that are inactive or not adding to the platform for over 60 days will automatically be deleted, and the username will be recycled. We will not tolerate accounts used for parking usernames/urls, stalking others, fake accounts, or bots. Our team regularly audits accounts at mass for inappropriate usage or bots.
How can I stay safe when making new friends online?
Making friends online can be an incredible experience—you get to meet people who share your exact passions, no matter where they live. But like any good adventurer, it helps to pack a little wisdom before heading into new territory.
Here’s how to stay safe while building awesome connections on Nerd Culture (and beyond):
Nerd Culture is designed to give you control:
- Set detailed privacy preferences on your profile—decide what’s visible to others and who can message you.
- Block or report users easily if someone crosses a line or makes you uncomfortable.
- Join groups and chats that align with your vibe and values—your comfort zone is valid.
Take your time when meeting new people online:
- Start in public spaces—like group chats or events—before diving into private messages.
- Don’t rush into sharing personal information, especially things like your full name, address, phone number, or financial details.
- Video calls or voice chats can be a great next step—but only if and when you feel ready.
Trust Your Gut if Someone
- Pressures you
- Sends you weird or inappropriate messages
- Refuses to respect your boundaries
- Feels “off” in any way
You don’t owe them anything. It’s okay to leave the conversation, block them, and report it. We want you to! Your safety, peace, and comfort come first.
Be the Community You Want to See
Safety isn’t just about avoiding bad actors—it’s also about building a positive space. Be kind. Respect boundaries. Encourage others to do the same. Look out for new users who might feel shy or unsure. Report inappropriate behavior even when it happens to someone else. The more we support each other, the stronger and safer the community becomes.
TL;DR:
You deserve to feel safe, respected, and empowered online. Nerd Culture is built to help you meet amazing people—but how, when, and if you connect is always up to you.
We’ve got the tools. You’ve got the instincts. Let’s make this place awesome together.
We encourage our users to review our Safety Guidelines for Making New Friends Online and our security features.
How should I use Nerd Culture if I am shy or introverted
First of all—you are not alone. In fact, Nerd Culture was built by people who totally get the “I’d rather text than talk” energy.
We know that jumping into a new space and trying to make friends online, even one filled with people who love the same things you do, can be overwhelming. That’s why Nerd Culture is designed to be low-pressure, customizable, and comfortable for introverts, shy folks, and quiet observers.
Here are a few ways to ease into making friends online when you are shy or introverted:
Start slow—and at your own pace
- Browse groups and communities without saying a word.
- Lurk in conversations and get a feel for the vibe before joining in.
- React to posts with emojis, or leave a kind comment if you’re feeling brave.
There’s no expectation to be loud or social all the time.
Use private messaging when you’re ready
Sometimes 1-on-1 feels way easier than jumping into a big group chat. Cautiously strike up a conversation using direct messages with someone who shares interests.
Find niche communities that feel like home
The beauty of Nerd Culture is that it’s full of very specific spaces. Whether you’re into quiet solo games, cozy book clubs, low-key crafting, or hyper-specific fandoms, you’ll find groups that match your energy—and people who love that about you.
Use your privacy settings like a comfort dial
You can customize your profile visibility, choose who can message you, and decide how much you share. On Nerd Culture, you’re always in control of how you make friends online and what others can see about you.
And remember: being quiet doesn’t mean you don’t belong
Some of the most thoughtful, creative, and passionate people are introverts. Nerd Culture isn’t about how loud you are—it’s about what you love.
So whether you’re here to make deep connections, just quietly explore things you love, or learn new things—Nerd Culture was made with you in mind.
How do I find meaningful friendships online using Nerd Culture
The secret to great online friendships is shared passions, real conversations, building trust, and showing up as your authentic self. Nerd Culture was built to make that easy.
Start by creating your profile and tagging your favorite hobbies and interests by using our Nerd Cultures. This helps you connect with people who genuinely love the same things you do.
You can make great friends online and camaraderie by:
- Joining groups based on your interests
- Commenting on posts or replying in community feeds
- Participate in creating content and discussions
- Attend events, whether virtual or in-person, and talk to people who show up
- Send a private message when something someone says resonates with you (even a simple “I love that too!” can spark a great convo)
The key is consistency and curiosity—be open, ask questions, and support others. Great friendships often start with one shared joke, one good gaming session, or one helpful comment.
And the best part? You’re in a community built for exactly this kind of connection.
When should you recognize red flags in an online friendship?
Be cautious if someone pressures you for personal data, financial information, money, makes you uncomfortable, communicates in an aggressive manner, or appears to be manipulative. Nerd Culture makes it easy to block and report any suspicious behavior.
We encourage our users to review our Safety Guidelines for Making New Friends Online and our security features.
Is Nerd Culture the best site for making new friends online?
We truly believe it is.
There are a lot of places online where you can explore your interests, Reddit, Discord, Facebook groups, YouTube communities, and they all have their strengths. But most of them weren’t really built to help people figure out how to make friends or build meaningful communities around shared passions.
We’re not just another platform. We’re a purpose-built space where people can:
- Create a personal profile centered around the things they genuinely love
- Search for and connect with others based on shared interests, location, availability, and preferred ways to hang out
- Join or create groups and events that reflect their hobbies, fandoms, or creative pursuits
- Customize their feed to only show what they care about—no algorithm drama, no rage-bait, no endless doom scrolling on junk food content
- Enjoy a platform that puts community, safety, and joy first—not ad revenue or popularity contests
Whether you’re into tabletop roleplaying, cosplay, K-pop, building PCs, anime deep-dives, or nature walks, Nerd Culture helps you find people who are into exactly what you’re into. If you’ve ever wondered how to make friends at school, it gives you tools to connect in authentic, low-pressure ways.
We’re confident it’s the best place to make friends online if you’re looking for real connection over clout, passion over popularity, and community over chaos.
That said, we’re not here to replace every other platform. We’re here to fill in the gap they’ve left behind: a safe, vibrant, and welcoming space where nerdy, curious, creative people can find their people and thrive.
And if that’s what you’re looking for… we’d love to have you.