Internet
karma
What does karma mean?
On Reddit, the running total of upvotes minus downvotes your posts and comments have collected. It's a meaningless internet number that people somehow still fight over — high karma signals you've been around, posted bangers, or relentlessly farmed easy subs. Required to post in some communities, used as a vibe check everywhere else.
"Bro made a throwaway with 12 karma and is in here lecturing everyone."
Origin
Reddit launched the karma system in 2005 as a public tally of net upvotes, borrowing the Sanskrit concept of cosmic payback for online clout.
Frequently asked questions
Does Reddit karma do anything?
Mostly nothing. Some subs require a minimum to post, and it gates a few features, but you can't spend it or cash it in.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
