How to Get Started with Second Life
You can start using Second Life by creating a free account on secondlife.com, downloading the viewer, and logging in to create your avatar and explore. The official site presents Second Life as a free 3D virtual world where users "create, connect, and chat with others from around the world using voice and text." The steps below follow the entry points shown on the official site.
Create Your Account
- Go to secondlife.com.
- Select Join Free or SIGN UP from the site navigation.
- Complete the registration form to create your account.
The site lists both "Join Free" and "SIGN UP" as entry points, so either one leads to account creation. Registration is the required first step before you can download and log in.
Download the Viewer
After registering, download the Second Life client from the official site. The homepage includes a Download link in the top navigation and a Download option in the footer.
- Desktop: Use the main Download link for the standard viewer.
- Mobile: The site also lists a Second Life Mobile Beta download. Treat this as a beta option rather than the primary client.
Install the viewer, then launch it and log in with the account you just created.
Create Your Avatar and Enter the World
On first login, you create your virtual avatar — your in-world identity. The site frames this around self-expression: "Second Life is an inclusive haven of self-expression." Once your avatar exists, you can enter the world and begin moving between locations.
Explore Content and Communities
The homepage organizes what you can do into a few clear paths:
| Path | What it offers | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Explore | "Thousands of virtual experiences and communities" — music clubs, roleplaying communities, virtual cinemas | Explore Now |
| Create | Interactive experiences, Lua scripting, creator tools | Creation Portal |
| Shop | Millions of items: virtual fashions, home decor, and more | Marketplace |
| Community | In-world communities and connections | Join Friends resource |
For finding places to visit, use Destinations. For buying or selling items, use the Marketplace. The site notes you can "create and monetize your own creations to earn real profits in a virtual economy powered by Tilia."
What to Know Before You Start
- Free to join: The site repeatedly uses "Join Free" and describes Second Life as "a free 3D virtual world." A Premium option also exists at secondlife.com/premium, but the site does not state its price or terms on the homepage — check that page directly if you want membership details.
- Voice and text: Communication in-world works through both voice and text.
- Language options: The site supports English, Español, Português, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Türkçe, Русский, and 日本語.
- Support: If you get stuck, the footer links to a Support Portal and Customer Service.
Common Starting Points
- If you only want to look around, register, download, and use Destinations to jump into existing experiences.
- If you want to build, head to the Creation Portal after your first login.
- If you want to shop or sell, go straight to the Marketplace.