What does 'AFK' stand for when gaming?

“What does 'AFK' stand for when gaming?” — AFK stands for “Away From Keyboard.” It describes someone who is temporarily not at their computer or is unable to respond actively.

The phrase originated in text-based online communities, including bulletin-board systems, chatrooms, and multiplayer games. In gaming, announcing AFK lets teammates know that a player may not move, communicate, or contribute for a while. The term remains useful even when someone is playing on a phone or console, where there may be no literal keyboard.

AFK is sometimes treated as interchangeable with “BRB,” meaning “Be Right Back,” but the emphasis differs. BRB communicates an intended short absence and return; AFK simply states that the person is currently away. A player can be AFK without saying when they will return.

The term also appears outside games, especially in workplace messaging and social media. “AFK” is usually informal and can describe either a physical absence or a period of inactivity during an online session.