Giveaway Rules Template: Free Copy-and-Paste Rules for Any Platform

A giveaway rules template is a ready-made set of official rules you fill in with your own prize, dates, and entry method. This one works for any social platform. Copy it, replace the brackets, and post it on your site or in a linked page, then use the short versions below for your caption. If you'd rather answer a few questions and get a finished set, the rules generator at the end builds one for you.

What Official Giveaway Rules Are and Why You Need Them

Official giveaway rules are the written terms of your promotion. They tell entrants what they can win, how to enter, who's eligible, how long the giveaway runs, and how the winner gets chosen. They also tell the platform and the law what you set out to do.

Most hosts need them for three reasons.

They prevent arguments. When someone asks if a second comment counted or whether they're eligible, the answer is already written down.

They protect you. Rules show that the giveaway was run the way you said it would be. If a question ever comes up, you have a record of the terms entrants agreed to.

They're often required. Platforms usually ask for a disclaimer, and some laws expect certain terms, such as a no-purchase-necessary statement for chance-based giveaways.

Rules don't need to be long. They need to be complete, specific, and posted before entries open.

This template is platform-neutral. If you're running a Pinterest contest specifically, Pinterest Contest Rules: What to Include + Free Template covers Pinterest's own requirements in detail.

The Full Giveaway Rules Template (With Notes on Each Line)

Copy the block below, replace everything in [brackets], and delete any line that doesn't apply.

OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES: [GIVEAWAY NAME] NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. 1. SPONSOR. This giveaway is run by [your name or brand] ("Sponsor"), [city, state]. Contact: [email address]. 2. ELIGIBILITY. Open to legal residents of [the 50 United States and D.C.] who are [18] or older on the date of entry. Employees of the Sponsor, and their immediate family members and household members, are not eligible. 3. GIVEAWAY PERIOD. Begins [start date, time, time zone] and ends [end date, time, time zone]. Entries made outside this period will not be counted. 4. HOW TO ENTER. During the giveaway period, [describe the one entry action, e.g., comment on the giveaway post with your answer to the prompt]. Limit one entry per person. Duplicate or automated entries will be disqualified. 5. PRIZE. [Number] winner(s) will each receive [prize description] with an approximate retail value of $[amount]. The prize is non-transferable and has no cash value. The Sponsor may substitute a prize of equal or greater value if the original becomes unavailable. 6. WINNER SELECTION. [Number] winner(s) and [number] backup winner(s) will be selected at random from all eligible entries on or about [date]. 7. ODDS. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. 8. NOTIFICATION. The winner will be announced on [where] and contacted by [method] within [number] days of the draw. The winner has [number] days to reply. If the winner does not reply or is not eligible, the prize will go to a backup winner. 9. PLATFORM DISCLAIMER. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, [PLATFORM]. By entering, you release [PLATFORM] from any liability related to this giveaway. 10. PRIVACY AND PUBLICITY. The Sponsor will use entrant information only to run the giveaway and deliver the prize. By accepting a prize, the winner agrees to the use of their [platform username] in the winner announcement. [Link to your privacy policy.] 11. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The Sponsor may cancel, change, or suspend the giveaway if fraud, technical problems, or other events outside its control prevent it from running as planned. These rules are governed by the laws of [state]. 12. WINNER LIST. For the name of the winner, email [email address] after [date].

Notes on each line:

• No purchase necessary: Put this at the top, where entrants can't miss it. If you ever require a purchase to enter a chance-based giveaway, stop and get legal advice first.
• 1 (Sponsor): Name the real person or business running it, with a way to reach them.
• 2 (Eligibility): Be specific about location and age. Most US hosts use 18 or older. Add "void where prohibited" so a local ban doesn't leave you exposed.
• 3 (Giveaway period): Always include the time and time zone. A bare date causes more disputes than any other detail.
• 4 (How to enter): Describe one entry action. On Pinterest, keep it to a comment and don't require people to save a specific image.
• 5 (Prize): The approximate retail value helps entrants judge what's at stake. Say what the prize does not include, such as shipping or taxes, if that matters.
• 6 (Selection): Say that the winner is chosen at random, and name your method if you like.
• 7 (Odds): You usually can't know the exact odds in advance, so state how they depend on entries.
• 8 (Notification): Give a reply deadline and say what happens if the winner doesn't respond.
• 9 (Platform disclaimer): Swap in the platform's name. Most platforms ask for this statement, so check each one's promotion rules before you launch.
• 10 (Privacy and publicity): Say what you do with entrants' information, and get permission to name the winner publicly.
• 11 (General conditions): This covers your right to cancel if something breaks.
• 12 (Winner list): Optional, but many US giveaways include it.

This template is general information, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review it if your prize is valuable.

Short-Form Rules for a Pin or Post Caption

Pin descriptions and captions have character limits, so you can't paste the full rules there. Use a short version that states the essentials and links to your full rules.

Short version for a Pin or post caption:

GIVEAWAY: Win [prize]! To enter, [entry action] by [date, time, time zone]. One entry per person. Open to [US residents 18+]. Winner chosen at random and contacted by [method]. Not sponsored or endorsed by [PLATFORM]. Full rules: [link]

Even shorter, for tight spaces:

Win [prize]! [Entry action] by [date, time zone]. 1 entry/person. [US 18+.] Full rules: [link]. Not sponsored by [PLATFORM].

Always check your platform's character limit before you post. The point of the short version is to give entrants the key facts at a glance and send everyone else to the full rules.

Generate Custom Rules With Our Free Tool

If you'd rather not edit a template by hand, the Giveaway Rules Generator builds a custom set from a few answers: your prize, dates, eligibility, entry method, and platform. It's free to try. You'll need a free PNT Picker account, and the generator counts toward the same 3 free uses as the picker. After that, Creator ($5/month) or Growth ($50/year) gives you unlimited use.

[ Generate your giveaway rules → ]

Once your rules are posted, the next job is the draw itself. PNT Picker picks winners and backups from the comments on your post with a secure random draw. Each draw comes with a public result link and a winner certificate, which back up what your rules promised.

Pick Your Winner With PNT Picker: 3 Free Uses

Your rules promise a random draw. Paste your Pinterest post URL, set your filters, and draw winners and backups with a secure random selection. Each draw comes with a public result link and a winner certificate.

[ Pick your winner with PNT Picker - 3 free uses → ]

PNT Picker is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest.