You want to give your favorite Discord server special perks like a custom invite link, more emoji slots, or higher audio quality. Server Boosting is a feature that lets Nitro subscribers grant those upgrades to a server of their choice. Each Boost adds experience points toward the server’s Boost level, unlocking new benefits at Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. This article explains exactly how to use your Nitro subscription to Boost a server, what each Boost does, and how to manage your Boosts afterward.
Key Takeaways: Boosting a Discord Server With Nitro
- Server Boost button in the server dropdown: Click the server name at the top of the channel list, then select “Boost This Server” from the menu.
- Nitro subscription required: You need an active Nitro or Nitro Basic plan to get at least one free Boost per month.
- Boosts are not refundable: Once you assign a Boost to a server, you cannot transfer it to another server for 30 days.
What Server Boosting Is and What You Need Before You Start
Server Boosting is a Discord feature that lets Nitro subscribers donate their free monthly Boost to any server they join. Each Boost adds points to the server’s overall Boost progress bar. When the server reaches certain point thresholds, it unlocks tiered perks:
- Tier 1 (2 Boosts): 50 emoji slots, 128 kbps audio quality, custom invite background, and a server-specific Boost banner.
- Tier 2 (7 Boosts): 100 emoji slots, 256 kbps audio quality, 1080p 60fps video streaming, upload limit increased to 50 MB, and vanity URL.
- Tier 3 (14 Boosts): 250 emoji slots, 384 kbps audio quality, 1080p 60fps video streaming, upload limit increased to 100 MB, vanity URL, and animated server icon.
To Boost a server, you need an active Nitro plan. Discord offers two paid tiers:
- Nitro Basic ($2.99/month): 1 Boost, 50 MB upload limit, custom emoji use anywhere, and animated emoji.
- Nitro ($9.99/month): 2 Boosts, 500 MB upload limit, custom emoji use anywhere, animated emoji, custom sticker use, and HD video streaming.
You also must be a member of the target server. You cannot Boost a server you have not joined. Server owners and administrators can see who Boosts their server, but the Boost is tied to your Nitro subscription, not to your membership status. If you leave the server, the Boost remains active until you manually remove it or your Nitro expires.
Steps to Boost a Discord Server With Nitro
Follow these steps to assign one of your Nitro Boosts to a server.
- Open Discord and navigate to your server list
Launch the Discord app on Windows, macOS, or the web version. On the left sidebar, locate the server you want to Boost. It must be a server you have joined and where you have the “Create Invite” permission (most servers grant this to all members by default). - Click the server name to open the dropdown menu
At the top of the channel list, click the server name. A dropdown menu appears with options such as “Invite People,” “Server Settings,” and “Boost This Server.” - Select “Boost This Server”
Click the “Boost This Server” option. A new window opens showing the current Boost level of the server, the number of Boosts already applied, and how many Boosts you have available from your Nitro subscription. - Click the “Boost” button next to an available Boost slot
In the Boost window, you will see one or more Boost slots. Each slot represents one Boost you can assign. Click the “Boost” button on the slot you want to use. A confirmation dialog appears asking you to confirm the action. - Confirm the Boost assignment
Read the confirmation message. It tells you that the Boost cannot be transferred to another server for 30 days. Click “Boost” to finalize. Discord immediately applies the Boost to the server, and the server’s Boost progress bar updates.
After you Boost a server, you will see a small Boost icon next to the server name in your server list. You can hover over the icon to see how many Boosts you have applied. The server owner and other members with the “Manage Server” permission can also see your Boost in the Server Boost menu.
What Happens When You Remove a Boost or Your Nitro Expires
Boosts are not permanent. They remain active only as long as your Nitro subscription stays active and you do not manually remove them. Here is what happens in each scenario:
- Manual removal: You can remove a Boost from a server at any time by going back to the Boost window and clicking “Remove Boost.” The Boost goes into a cooldown period of 30 days. During that time, you cannot assign it to any server. After the cooldown, the Boost becomes available again for any server.
- Nitro cancellation or expiration: When your Nitro subscription ends, all Boosts you have assigned are removed immediately. The server loses those Boost points, which may cause it to drop to a lower tier. Any perks that required the lost Boosts are disabled. For example, if the server had a vanity URL from Tier 2 and loses enough Boosts to fall below Tier 2, the vanity URL stops working until the server regains the required Boosts.
Server owners are notified via a system message in the server’s system channel when a Boost is added or removed. They can also see the list of active Boosters in Server Settings > Server Boost.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Boosting a Server
I cannot see the “Boost This Server” option in the dropdown
This usually means you do not have an active Nitro subscription. Open User Settings > Nitro to check your plan status. If you have Nitro Basic or Nitro, the option appears. Also verify that you are a member of the server. You cannot Boost a server you have not joined.
I already used my free Boosts and want to Boost more servers
Your Nitro plan gives you a fixed number of Boosts each month. Nitro Basic gives 1 Boost. Nitro gives 2 Boosts. To Boost additional servers, you need to either remove a Boost from a current server (which triggers a 30-day cooldown) or upgrade your Nitro plan to get more Boosts. You can also purchase extra Boosts separately, but that is not part of the standard Nitro subscription.
The server did not unlock the expected tier after I Boosted
Check the server’s current Boost count in the Boost window. The tier unlocks only when the server reaches the exact number of Boosts required. For example, if a server has 1 Boost and you add 1 more, it reaches 2 Boosts and unlocks Tier 1. If the server had 6 Boosts and you add 1, it reaches 7 Boosts and unlocks Tier 2. The progress bar shows how many Boosts are needed for the next tier.
I left the server but my Boost is still active
Leaving a server does not automatically remove your Boost. You must manually remove it from the Boost window before leaving. If you already left, you can rejoin the server and then remove the Boost. If you cannot rejoin, contact Discord support for assistance.
Discord Nitro Plans: Server Boost Comparison
| Feature | Nitro Basic ($2.99/month) | Nitro ($9.99/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Boosts per month | 1 | 2 |
| Upload limit | 50 MB | 500 MB |
| Custom emoji use anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Animated emoji | Yes | Yes |
| HD video streaming | No | Yes (up to 1080p 60fps) |
| Custom sticker use | No | Yes |
Server Boosting is a straightforward way to support communities you care about. After you assign a Boost, you can track the server’s progress in the Boost window. If you want to maximize perks, consider saving your Boosts for servers that are close to reaching the next tier. You can also ask the server owner to announce a Boost goal so members coordinate their Boosts effectively.