Every GTA 5 text cheat for PC (Legacy and Enhanced): invincibility, weapons, wanted level, vehicles, Director Mode. How to open the ~ console, why the keyboard layout matters, what happens to Steam achievements and why a code may not work.
Contents
- How to enter a cheat on PC
- Legacy vs Enhanced: is there a difference
- Console or phone: which to use on PC
- PC codes: character, weapons, world
- PC vehicle codes
- Codes you will not find on a controller
- PC achievements and cheats
- Why a cheat is not working on PC
- How to turn a cheat off on PC
- GTA 5 cheats on other platforms
- GTA 5 PC cheats FAQ
How to enter a cheat on PC
- Start Story Mode.
- Make sure the keyboard layout is English (US). With a different layout the key next to “1” and the letters you type may not match what the game expects, and it will not recognize the code.
- Press ~. It is the key to the left of “1”, above Tab.
- Type the code in capital letters. Caps Lock makes it easier. Type it exactly as in the table.
- Press Enter.
Instead of the console you can call from the protagonist’s phone: up arrow → Contacts → Spacebar (opens the keypad; GTA Boom also lists the middle mouse button) → number → call. All numbers are on the GTA 5 phone numbers page.
Legacy vs Enhanced: is there a difference
The code list and the ~ console are the same in both PC versions. PC Gamer’s 2026 guide covers Enhanced without any caveats. There is no separate confirmation from Rockstar, but there are no reports that the codes changed there either.
On PC, Director Mode opens three ways: with the JRTALENT code, with the M key (Interaction Menu, Director Mode at the bottom) or through the pause menu → Rockstar Editor → Director Mode.
Console or phone: which to use on PC
The console is faster: ~, a few letters, Enter, and you are back in the game. The codes are short English words, so they are easy to remember: PAINKILLER, TOOLUP (tool up), LAWYERUP (lawyer up, i.e. get rid of the wanted level).
The phone comes in handy if the console will not open because of the keyboard layout or a non-standard keyboard. Each number is the same word spelled out on the phone keypad: TURTLE is 1-999-887-853. The number is not saved in your contacts, but “*” on the phone keypad repeats the last cheat.
PC codes: character, weapons, world
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Invincibility (about 5 minutes) | PAINKILLER |
| Max health and armor (also repairs your vehicle) | TURTLE |
| Weapons and ammo | TOOLUP |
| +1 wanted star | FUGITIVE |
| −1 wanted star | LAWYERUP |
| Recharge special ability | POWERUP |
| Fast run | CATCHME |
| Fast swim | GOTGILLS |
| Parachute | SKYDIVE |
| Slow motion (3 levels, a 4th entry turns it off) | SLOWMO |
| Slow-motion aim | DEADEYE |
| Drunk mode | LIQUOR |
| Super jump | HOPTOIT |
| Moon gravity | FLOATER |
| Skyfall (drop from the sky) | SKYFALL |
| Slippery cars | SNOWDAY |
| Explosive melee punches | HOTHANDS |
| Explosive bullets | HIGHEX |
| Flaming bullets | INCENDIARY |
| Change weather (cycles through 9 types) | MAKEITRAIN |
PC vehicle codes
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| BMX | BANDIT |
| Buzzard helicopter | BUZZOFF |
| Caddy golf cart | HOLEIN1 |
| Pfister Comet | COMET |
| Duster biplane | FLYSPRAY |
| Mallard stunt plane | BARNSTORM |
| PCJ-600 motorcycle | ROCKET |
| Dewbauchee Rapid GT | RAPIDGT |
| Sanchez dirt bike | OFFROAD |
| Stretch limo | VINEWOOD |
| Trashmaster garbage truck | TRASHED |
All the cars and planes are in the GTA 5 vehicles section.
Codes you will not find on a controller
| Effect | Code | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Duke O’Death armored muscle car | DEATHCAR | find it first in the “Duel” random event |
| Kraken submarine | BUBBLES | unlock it first in the wildlife photography side task |
| Dodo seaplane | EXTINCT | unlock it first in the “Sea Plane” random event |
| Director Mode | JRTALENT | only outside a mission, on foot and with no wanted level |
On consoles these cheats can only be called up by phone; on PC the console works too.
PC achievements and cheats
According to Rockstar Support, with a cheat on you can save, but achievements are temporarily disabled. According to the guides, until the end of the current session: after restarting the game or loading a save, they are available again.
Cheats do not affect 100% completion. But in a mission with an active code you cannot get better than a bronze medal.
GTABase and GTA Boom advise saving to a separate slot before using cheats and never overwriting it. That way you can always go back to a cheat-free game.
The achievement list is on the GTA 5 achievements page, and full completion is covered in the GTA 5 100% completion guide.
Why a cheat is not working on PC
- The wrong keyboard layout. The code came out in different characters. Switch to English (US) and type it again.
- The console didn’t open or the code wasn’t applied. The console opens with the ~ key left of “1”, and the code only works after you press Enter.
- The code is mistyped. Type it in capitals, exactly as in the table.
- You are in GTA Online. Cheats work only in Story Mode.
- “Cheat Denied”. Cheats are blocked in this mission or area.
- The vehicle is not unlocked yet. DEATHCAR, BUBBLES and EXTINCT work only after the matching event or task.
- Not enough room. Vehicles won’t spawn indoors, underground or in a cramped spot. Move to open ground and enter the code again.
How to turn a cheat off on PC
Enter the same code again. Rockstar Support says this usually, but not always, turns the cheat off. Loading a save or restarting the game resets all cheats. Starting a mission turns off cheats that were active outside it.
GTA 5 cheats on other platforms
All codes for every platform in one table are on the GTA 5 cheats page. By platform:
- GTA 5 cheats for PlayStation (PS4, PS5)
- GTA 5 cheats for Xbox (One, Series)
- GTA 5 cheats: phone numbers
How the console and PC versions of the game differ is covered on the GTA 5 platforms page.
GTA 5 PC cheats FAQ
How do I open the cheat console in GTA 5 on PC?
With the ~ key left of “1”. Step by step — in the “How to enter a cheat on PC” section above.
Why can’t I enter a cheat in GTA 5 on PC?
Most often it is the keyboard layout: the code was typed with a non-English layout. Switch to English (US), turn on Caps Lock and type the code again.
What is the GTA 5 invincibility cheat on PC?
PAINKILLER. It lasts about five minutes.
What is the weapons code in GTA 5 on PC?
TOOLUP gives you weapons and ammo. For explosive bullets use HIGHEX, for flaming ones INCENDIARY. The game’s weapons themselves are on the GTA 5 weapons page.
Do cheats work in GTA 5 Enhanced?
Yes, the code list and the ~ console are the same as in Legacy. That is how PC Gamer describes Enhanced; there is no separate statement from Rockstar.
Do cheats block Steam achievements?
Yes, but only until the end of the session. Details are in the “PC achievements and cheats” section above.
Is there a money or tank cheat in GTA 5?
No. There is no money cheat in story mode or in GTA Online. You can’t spawn a tank with a cheat either: according to GTABase, the Rhino tank code from older games now gives you the Buzzard helicopter. The biggest money in story mode comes from the stock market around Lester’s assassinations; other ways are in the how to make money in GTA 5 guide.
Sources
- Official: Rockstar Games, Rockstar Newswire, Rockstar Support, Take-Two Interactive
- Stores (prices and availability): PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Epic Games Store
- Press: GamesRadar, PC Gamer, IGN, VGC, Game Informer
Every fact is checked against official sources or at least two independent ones; player-sourced data is labelled in the text. Images are official Rockstar Games material. GTA Top is not affiliated with Rockstar Games or Take-Two Interactive.