This reference hub tracks every official YouTube Creator Award ever issued. Use the data table below to explore each tier, then follow the links for in-depth guides. For the full narrative breakdown of the entire programme, see our YouTube Play Buttons: Complete Guide.
Last Updated: July 5, 2026
The Complete YouTube Play Button Tracker
| Award Tier | Subscribers | Year Introduced | First Standard Recipient | Current Highest Holder | In-Depth Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Play Button | 100,000 | 2013 | Early pioneers (Smosh era) | 300,000+ channels | Full Guide |
| Gold Play Button | 1,000,000 | 2012 | 78 initial qualifying channels | 30,000+ channels | Full Guide |
| Diamond Play Button | 10,000,000 | 2015 | 35 initial qualifying channels | 2,800+ channels | Full Guide |
| Custom / Ruby Play Button | 50,000,000 | 2016 | PewDiePie | 101 channels | Full Guide |
| Red Diamond Play Button | 100,000,000 | 2019 | T-Series | 17 channels | Full Guide |
| 200M Award (Tiger’s Eye) | 200,000,000 | 2021 | T-Series (standard edition) | MrBeast (504M) | Full Guide |
| 300M Award (Malachite) | 300,000,000 | 2022 | T-Series (standard edition) | MrBeast (504M) | Full Guide |
| 400M Award (Sapphire) | 400,000,000 | 2024 | MrBeast | MrBeast (504M) | Full Guide |
| 500M Custom Award | 500,000,000 | 2026 | MrBeast | MrBeast (504M) | Full Guide |
Important distinction for tiers above 100M: T-Series was the first channel in YouTube history to cross both the 200 million and 300 million subscriber thresholds, receiving the standard “Tiger’s Eye” and “Malachite” editions. MrBeast holds custom-designed plaques for these same milestones, but was not the first to reach the raw subscriber numbers. MrBeast is, however, the undisputed first recipient of both the 400M and 500M awards.
Play Button Timeline
The chronological evolution of YouTube’s Creator Awards mirrors the explosive global expansion of digital media audiences:
- 2012 - Gold Play Button introduced at VidCon (1M subscribers)
- 2013 - Silver Play Button introduced (100K subscribers)
- 2015 - Diamond Play Button introduced at VidCon (10M subscribers)
- 2016 - Custom “Ruby” Award introduced (50M subscribers)
- 2019 - Red Diamond Award introduced (100M subscribers)
- 2021 - 200M Award (Tiger’s Eye / Amber) introduced
- 2022 - 300M Award (Emerald / Malachite) introduced
- 2024 - 400M Award (Sapphire / Lapis Lazuli) introduced; Silver and Gold awards physically downsized by 30%
- 2026 - 500M Custom Award introduced; hand-delivered by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan to MrBeast
Who Currently Holds the Highest YouTube Play Button?
As of July 2026, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) holds the highest recorded YouTube Creator Award: the unprecedented 500 Million Subscriber Custom Play Button.
The award features a dark interior modelled after the traditional Diamond design, encompassed by a metallic construct of the signature MrBeast channel mascot with blue crystal eyes. Hand-delivered by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, this bespoke trophy established an entirely new tier in the creator economy.
Because MrBeast is currently the only channel to have crossed the 500 million threshold, there is exactly one of these trophies in existence - making it the rarest YouTube Creator Award ever made.
Recent Updates to This Tracker
July 2026 - MrBeast Surpasses 504M
MrBeast’s main channel continues to grow, pushing past 504 million subscribers. No new award tier has been announced at this point.
June 2026 - MrBeast’s 500M Award
YouTube officially presented MrBeast with the first-ever 500 Million Subscriber Play Button. The bespoke award was hand-delivered by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, establishing an entirely new tier in the creator economy. The plaque features a dark interior with a metallic Beast Panther construct and blue crystal accents.
How This List Is Verified and Updated
Subscriber counts alone do not trigger the automatic dispatch of a Play Button. The data in this tracker reflects physical awards granted only after a rigorous eligibility review by YouTube’s internal moderation teams. To qualify, a channel must:
- Maintain active video uploads within the preceding six months
- Remain free of any active Community Guidelines strikes for at least 365 days
- Produce original content, strictly excluding compilations and heavily repurposed copyrighted media
- Demonstrate authentic audience growth completely devoid of botting or metric manipulation
For the full breakdown of every eligibility rule, see our complete eligibility and redemption guide.
This tracker operates as a living reference document and is updated as major subscriber milestones are crossed, new Play Button designs are unveiled, or YouTube modifies its official Creator Awards criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Next Tier After 500 Million?
YouTube has not publicly designated an official award for milestones beyond 500 million subscribers. Given current channel growth trajectories, the next major theoretical milestones would be 600 million or 1 billion subscribers. Historically, YouTube designs and reveals these ultra-high-tier awards reactively, unveiling them only when a creator is on the immediate verge of crossing the new threshold.
How Often Is This Page Updated?
This data hub is updated in real-time as major subscriber milestones are crossed, new Play Button designs are unveiled by creators, or YouTube modifies its official Creator Awards criteria. Bookmark this page to stay current on every change to the programme.
Where Can I See the Full History of Every Play Button Design?
For the complete 14-year evolution of the programme from its origins to the current tier system, see our History of YouTube Play Buttons: 2007-2026.
How Do I Claim My Own Play Button?
If your channel has crossed a milestone threshold, check your YouTube Studio dashboard for a redemption notification. For the step-by-step process, see our How to Redeem Your YouTube Play Button guide.
