PUBG Grenade Guide
Throwables win more final circles than any gun. This guide covers cooking frags, using smoke properly, molotovs, stuns and the rarer utility items.
The core throwables
| Throwable | Main use | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Frag grenade | Damage, forcing players out of cover | Roughly a 5-second fuse once cooked |
| Smoke grenade | Cover for revives, crossings and rotations | Blocks vision only – no damage |
| Molotov cocktail | Area denial, flushing rooms and blocking doors | Bursts on impact; deals damage over time |
| Stun grenade | Blinding and deafening players before a push | No damage; best thrown into rooms just before entering |
Frag grenades: cooking and throwing
A frag has a fuse of about five seconds. If you throw it immediately, enemies have time to run. Cooking means starting the fuse before you throw so it explodes on arrival:
- Hold the throw button to pull the pin.
- Press the cook key (R by default) to start the fuse.
- Count, then release. For a short throw, hold for about two to three seconds; for a long throw, release earlier.
You can switch between a high overhand throw and a low throw while holding the grenade. Use the low throw to roll grenades under vehicles and through doorways at close range. Practise distances in Training Mode – the timing is what makes frags lethal.
Smoke grenades
Smoke is the most valuable throwable for teams. Use it to:
- Revive safely: throw smoke between the downed teammate and the enemy, not on top of the teammate.
- Cross open ground: throw several smokes in a line to create a wall, rather than one cloud you run through.
- Break line of sight when a fight goes wrong and you need to reset.
- Fake a rotation by smoking one direction and moving another.
Carry at least two or three smokes into the late game.
Molotovs
A molotov bursts on impact and spreads fire. Throw it into small rooms, stairwells and behind cover to force players out, or onto a doorway to stop a push. Fire also denies revives. Avoid red or orange crosshairs, as they are hard to see through flames – see our crosshair guide.
Stun grenades
Stuns blind and deafen players caught in the flash. They are most effective when you are about to enter a building or room: throw, wait for the bang, then push straight in. Look away or get behind cover so you do not stun yourself.
Other throwables and utility
- BZ grenade: creates a lingering cloud that damages and disorients players inside it.
- C4: a powerful charge with a long fuse, used to destroy cover and force teams out.
- Sticky bomb: a breaching tool used on maps with destructible walls, such as Karakin.
- Decoy grenade: plays fake gunfire sounds to mislead enemies.
Availability varies by map and changes with updates, so check the current patch notes.
Recent throwable changes
- Update 40.1 added an on-screen list of your throwables and how many you carry when you pull one out or switch between them.
- Update 41.1 made terrain on Erangel destructible: frags, C4, mortars, the Panzerfaust, pickaxes and vehicle explosions can all destroy terrain.
- Update 42.3 added a separate Throwables crosshair (colour and opacity only).
- Update 43.1 lets you use throwables and sidearms while on the water surface, with reduced accuracy.
Final-circle throwable tips
- Save a frag or molotov for the last two circles – they are the best way to move a team out of cover.
- Bind each throwable to its own key so you never pull out the wrong one under pressure.
- Throw from cover; you are exposed during the throw animation.
Related guides
- Erangel guideDrops, rotations and recent changes to PUBG's main map.
- PUBG weapon tier listThe strongest guns right now and why.
- Best PUBG crosshair settingsUse the crosshair editor to make your aim point easy to see.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the grenade fuse in PUBG?
A frag grenade has a fuse of about five seconds once cooked. Press the cook key (R by default) while holding the grenade to start the fuse before throwing.
How do you cook a grenade in PUBG PC?
Hold the throw button to pull the pin, press R to start the fuse, wait two to three seconds for a short throw, then release.
What is the best throwable in PUBG?
Smoke grenades are the most valuable for team play, and frag grenades are the most effective way to damage players in cover.
Can you destroy terrain with grenades on Erangel?
Yes. Since Update 41.1, frags, C4, mortars, the Panzerfaust, pickaxes and vehicle explosions can destroy terrain on Erangel, although some areas have limited destructibility.