How to Use 4chan: Accessing Forums, Finding Info, & Staying Safe

An easy-to-follow guide for browsing 4Chan on your computer

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: March 27, 2023 References Approved

Accessing Boards

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Exploring Boards in Depth

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Browsing Safely

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Q&A

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Tips

Browsing 4chan for the first time can be overwhelming. Some boards, like the Random board, are filled with images and language that would offend or disgust most people. Other boards, like Auto or Technology, contain constructive discussions about useful topics. Visit the 4chan homepage to see its list of boards, and click on a title you find interesting. Browse its threads, or “lurk,” to get a feel for its slang and culture. Avoid clicking on strange links, don’t follow any advice that seems unsafe, and never post any personal information on 4chan or any other online forum. This wikiHow article shows you how to browse 4chan and stay safe.

Things You Should Know

Browse the boards on 4chan by going to the homepage and clicking on the topics or boards that you're interested in.
If you create a post, it has to be related to the board it's posted on.
If you're unsure of a community, you can "lurk" and avoid creating a post until you're more comfortable with the lingo.

Section 1 of 3:

Accessing Boards

1
Visit the homepage to view the list of boards. Navigate to the 4chan homepage. You’ll find a brief description of the site and a full list of the boards. Since 4chan doesn’t have a system of usernames and passwords, you don’t have to sign up for anything before browsing.
2
Read the rules and FAQ. You’ll find links to the rules and FAQ pages just below the site description on the home page. If you plan on posting anything, it’s worth your time to familiarize yourself with them in order to prevent getting banned.
- For example, according to the rules, you must be 18 years or older to access the site. You can’t post or discuss anything illegal, advertise, or complain about 4chan policies. If you post on a board that deals with specific content, like technology, your post has to relate to that board’s topic.^{[1]
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3
Click on a board and agree to the disclaimer. The first time you click on a board, you’ll be required to agree to a disclaimer before you can browse. The most popular board is Random, or /b/, which is notorious for spawning many mainstream internet memes. Note you’ll almost certainly encounter pornography, gore, and otherwise offensive content on the Random board. If you’re not interested in that kind of imagery, there are plenty of other topics to browse.^{[2]
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- Technology, Video Games, and the Paranormal are filled with interesting conversations on their respective topics.
- LGBT covers issues like coming out, transitioning genders, and marriage rights with an unexpected degree of seriousness.
- The Auto, Fitness, and Do It Yourself boards can offer constructive content focused on these respective topics.
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Browse through a board’s pages. Read through the first page’s threads, then use the page numbers at the bottom to navigate to other pages. Stick to “lurking,” or browsing without posting, when you’re just starting out. Lurking on a board’s threads for two or three weeks will help you get a feel for its culture and vocabulary.
5
Navigate boards using the alphabetical links at the top of the page. Once you're on a board, you'll see a list of letters and abbreviations at the top of the page. These are links to 4chan's other boards. You can use these links to go to another board without having to return to the homepage.
- If you hover your cursor over a letter or abbreviation without clicking it, a tooltip will appear letting you know which board it links.
- For example, /g/ links to the Technology board, /o/ links to Auto, and /diy/ links to Do It Yourself.

Section 2 of 3:

Exploring Boards in Depth

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Use catalog or archive views. The standard view shows a board's original posts, or OPs, and their top five replies. You can also click on the catalog link just above the board's first post for a single-page gallery view of all OPs without replies. Clicking the archive link next to the catalog link will let you see a list of expired posts from the last three days.
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Search a thread for an original post. You can enter a keyword into the search bar on the standard view to filter posts. Your search results will appear in the catalog view, along with options to sort the posts by date or popularity. In the catalog view, the search bar is located at the far right of the screen. Type your search term in there to start a new search, or delete your search terms to see the full catalog of posts.^{[3]
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Use the image search feature to find an image’s source. If you’d like to find out where an image came from, you can press the grey triangle just after the thread title. When you click on it, it’ll give you the option to image search through Google Images or IQDB.^{[4]
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- If you are interested in an image, consider saving or screenshotting it. Posts on 4chan disappear after a few days.
4
Look up unfamiliar slang. There are a number of slang words, phrases, and abbreviations common across all of 4chan. In addition, many boards have their own unique jargon and slang. When you come across an unfamiliar word, meme, or thread, search for it on Google or Urban Dictionary.

Section 3 of 3:

Browsing Safely

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Steer clear of upsetting or extremist content. Some boards, like Random and Politically Incorrect, are filled with racial slurs, Nazi imagery, and other content that would be horrifying to the average person. Other board titles note that they deal with pornography and other adult topics.^{[5]
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- 4Chan has become notorious for racism, white supremacy, and political extremism.^{[6]
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- You can use the filter drop-down menu at the top of the list of boards and select “Show Work-Safe Boards Only.” You can also use this menu to select “Show Not Safe for Work Boards Only.”
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Avoid giving out personal information. Never give out any personal or contact information on 4chan or any other online forum. 4chan encourages anonymity, doesn’t allow contact requests, and won’t provide you or another user with anyone’s contact information.^{[8]
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- Note that 4chan can keep track of your IP address and, if necessary, use it to ban you or give the information to authorities.^{[9]
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Don’t click on unfamiliar links. You could download a virus or malware by clicking on a strange link. Avoid clicking on any external links that you might see on 4chan. You can click on the images themselves for a larger view or save without much worry since, according to the rules, the images can’t include any additional sound, document, or other data.^{[10]
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Don’t follow unsafe advice. Sometimes posts on 4chan might encourage viewers to do obviously unsafe things. For example, a 2014 post suggested that readers should microwave their cell phones to activate a hidden feature. Use your best judgment when you see a thread offering advice and when in doubt, don’t try it at home.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I find boards that are not on the homepage?

Community Answer

There is an Easter egg hidden in the website. If you press Alt + F4 on the homepage you can access a hidden section of the website, most of the boards are NSFW, so watch out for content you may not like.
Question

What would happen if someone under 18 manages to get in the website and interact?

Community Answer

As long as they don't reveal their age, nothing. However, if they do or it's discovered, they can be banned.
Question

Is it safe to actually visit 4Chan? Some people say weird things will happen if I visit the site. Is this true?

Community Answer

It is a safe website to visit (just avoid the homepage due to popups and you should be fine). The only weird things that happen are inside 4chan, in terms of the attitudes, conversations and information shared.