To most gamers, using cheatsmay seem like the antithesis of an authentic gaming experience; developers even make cheats quite hard to find, as they’re often seen as game-breaking techniques that undermine a title’s integrity. However, this couldn’t be more untrue inThe Sims 4, as using cheats is a tried and true foundation of the series.
The Simspublisher company EA not only encourages the use of cheats in their games but even has a handy list on their website of some of the best ones. These cheats are applicable in nearly every aspect of the game but are especially useful for players looking to build the house of their dreams. So, for those looking to create astounding Sim homes, here are the best build mode cheats inThe Sims 4.
Updated on June 14, 2025, by Ashely Claudino:This article now lists every useful cheat code for The Sims 4 Build Mode. To make it easier to navigate, we’ve added a concise table at the end, which displays the cheat codes mentioned above, so gamers can easily find them and apply them while playing The Sims 4.
1Turn On Cheats
One Cheat to Rule Them All
The use of many cheats inThe Sims 4simply wouldn’t be possible without first usingtestingcheats true. This cheat is especially necessary for players looking to use cheats in the other game modes as well. As with every other cheat in this list, it can be entered on PC using Ctrl + Shift + C to bring up the cheat dialogue box.
For thoseplayingThe Sims 4on consoles, many of the same cheats work using the same entry into the dialogue box. To access the cheat dialogue box players will need to hold down all four shoulder buttons for a couple of seconds. Whether on PC or console, this dialogue box can be closed using the same steps to open it.
2Free Real Estate
Don’t Let a Budget Stop You
The first thing players do after exiting Create-a-Sim (CAS) is to pick a place for their Sim families to live. The standard starting funds for a family is 20,000 Simoleons, but players can increase or decrease this if they use the CAS Stories function. Some starter homes fall within budget, but players who want to move Sims into any house they want can use theFree Real Estatecheat.
After ensuring that cheats are turned on, players can type infreerealestate onto make every Residential Lot cost zero Simoleons. Sims will keep all their starting funds when they move in. Then, players can decorate or renovate the lot however they want. To reset the home’s prices, players must simply typefreerealestate offin the cheat bar.
3Set Household Funds
Specify Sims' Simoleons
After enteringtestingcheats truein the dialogue box, players will unlock the ability to use a cheat that will grant them a specific amount in their household funds. This cheat can be handy for players participating invariousSims 4challengesor for those needing a modest monetary boost for their builds.
TypingMoneyfollowed by the specific amount of Simoleons players want will grant them precisely that number. So, for example, typing inMoney 123456will change the household funds to 123,456 Simoleons exactly.
4Get Instant Money
Money, Money, Money
Ever since the dawn of the originalSimsgame, now known asThe Sims 1, EA has facilitated several ways for players to get money using cheats. The classicrosebudcheat, which appeared in this first core game in the series, is still used inThe Sims 4and grants players 1,000 Simoleons every time it is entered in the dialogue box.
Similarly,kachingwill grant 1000 Simoleons as well. For those looking to really upgrade the extravagance in their builds, they can use the classicmotherlodecheat, which will deposit a whopping 50,000 Simoleons into their funds. More money equals more opportunities forexpensive and extravagant builds.
5Move Objects Freely
Freedom of Movement
One of the major gripes of Sims players is the strict standard placement rules for all objects. A plant may only visually take up a quarter of a tile, butSims 4will still dictate that it requires a whole tile. Items also cannot intersect with one another, and some items will even have other specific rules such as needing to be placed outside or against walls.
Thankfully, thebb.moveobjects oncheat allows players to place items without obeying these rules. Once players have freely layered, positioned, and arranged their furniture they can even toggle the cheat off again by typingbb.moveobjects offin the dialogue box. Using the Move Objects cheat in conjunction with analtkey hold will grant players awhole new level of home designflexibility.
Move Objects is one of the most useful cheats inThe Sims 4, but it doesn’t always work properly, especially when trying to slot clutter onto a counter. Gamers having trouble getting the objects to stay on the counter, should move the counter from where its final placement will be, place the item with Move Objects where they would like it to stay, and then put the counter back. This way, the objects can be placed wherever gamers want on the counter even if it didn’t automatically slot there at first.
6Quarter and Half Tile Placement
Change Tile Size and Shape
When placing flooring in a home, players get many options, from carpet to tile and more. Just like many objects, the flooring is placed as square tiles. However, players can place flooring in quarter anddiagonal half tilesusing a simple keyboard command. This allows them to create unique patterns and shapes to cover their floors.
To place quarter tiles, hit Ctrl + F. This makes the tile turn into a triangle shape. Players can then click Ctrl + F again to make it a full square again. They can also do diagonal half tiles by placing two quarter tiles next to each other. Additionally, the keys rotate flooring for even more pattern options.
7Raise/Lower Objects
Clutter Those Counters
Clutter items can make all the difference when building inThe Sims 4. Clutter is a good way to fill in empty space, make a home or venue look active, and add neat storytelling details for a Sim’s interests. The only problem is that some items can’t be slotted onto certain surfaces or can only be placed at awkward angles. A good way to freely place items wherever your heart desires is toraise or lower them manually.
For this to work, players must have thebb.moveobjectscheat active. Then, put an item on the floor and move it underneath the object it will be placed on. Use the 9 key to raise the object and the 0 key to lower it. Look at it from multiple angles to ensure it is placed correctly from every perspective.
8Increase/Decrease Object Size
Size Does Matter
Though every item inThe Sims 4has its own default size, savvy players can change this with a keyboard shortcut. This cheat won’t require the usual dialogue box, but instead utilizes theshiftand[ ]keys.
With any item selected, players can pressshift [to increase its size orshift ]to make it smaller. This is another shortcut that’s great to use with themoveobjectscheat, as it can be a way for players to hide items within one another but still maintain their in-game use.
9Unlock Debug Items
Decorative Items Galore
Not everything in the game isfreely available in the Build/Buy catalog. Some objects, often referred to asdebug items,are hidden from players use in standard build mode. While many of these items are standard neighborhood environmental features, they can be used to create beautiful and unique builds.
There are two cheats to unlock debug items in the game which will give players access to a total of over 1,200 new objects for their builds. Thebb.showhiddenobjectscheat unlocks scenery items and small clutter seen around neighborhoods. Thebb.showliveeditobjectscheat unlocks even more of these environmental items, and many of them can be added to builds for free.
To find debug objects inThe Sims 4, gamers have to enter the write “debug” in the Build Mode search box. To navigate through all the categories, they must select “show all.” Going through all the Live Edit Objects is a bit more complicated compared to the debug objects, they don’t have the same object name ("DEBUG"). The best way to find Live Edit Objects is to select the categories menu in Build Mode and press “show all.”
10Unlock Career Exclusive Items
Get the Rewards Without the Career
New players ofThe Sims 4may have noticed that some items in the catalog are locked from use unless their Sims max out a particular career branch. It may be somewhat achievable to unlock these through gameplay, but for those who don’t wish to waste valuable time, there is also a cheat for this.
Enteringbb.ignoregameplayunlocksentitlementinto the cheat dialogue box will automatically unlock all of these items for households to buy. With nearlyevery expansion pack, more of these kinds of items are always being added, so it’s a quick way to get more build options in the game.
