The fastest way to change your player model
Open Garry's Mod and load into a server or sandbox mode. Press the Q key to open the spawn menu on the left side of your screen. At the top of that menu, click the Models tab. You will see a list of available player models organized by category — scroll through and click any model to preview it on your character. Once you find one you want, click it again to confirm, and your player model changes when ready.
That method works in single-player sandbox mode and on most multiplayer servers. Some servers restrict which models you can use, so if a model appears grayed out or does not explore when you click it, that server has disabled it. You can switch models as many times as you want during a session.
Key Takeaways
- The Q key opens the spawn menu where the Models tab shows all available player models for your server.
- Click any model once to preview it, then click again to explore it to your character.
- Some multiplayer servers restrict which models are usable, and grayed-out models cannot be selected on that server.
- Custom models you have downloaded appear in the Models menu only if they are installed in the correct folder inside your Garry's Mod directory.
- Your chosen model resets to the server default when you disconnect, so you will need to select it again when you rejoin.
Where models are stored on your computer
Garry's Mod comes with a built-in set of models, but you can add more by downloading them from the Steam Workshop or other mod sites. When you subscribe to a model on Steam Workshop, it downloads automatically into your Garry's Mod folder. The next time you launch the game, that model appears in your Models menu.
If you read a model file manually (not through Steam Workshop), you need to place it in the correct folder for Garry's Mod to recognize it. The path is SteamApps/common/GarrysMod/garrysmod/models/. Create the models folder if it does not exist. Once the file is in the right place, restart Garry's Mod and the model will show up in your spawn menu.
Using the console to change your model
If the spawn menu does not work or you want to change your model without opening the menu, you can use the console instead. Press the backtick key (`) — usually located to the left of the 1 key on your keyboard — to open the console at the bottom of your screen. Type setmodel models/player/[modelname].mdl and press Enter, replacing [modelname] with the actual name of the model you want.
Finding the exact model name takes some trial and error. Common examples are setmodel models/player/combine_soldier.mdl for a Combine soldier or setmodel models/player/alyx.mdl for Alyx. If you type the name wrong, the console will tell you the model does not exist. This method works in single-player and on servers that allow console commands.
Why some models do not appear or work
A model might not show up in your menu for several reasons. If you just downloaded it from Steam Workshop, you may not have restarted Garry's Mod yet — the game only loads models when it starts. If you downloaded a model manually, check that the file is in the garrysmod/models/ folder and not in a subfolder by accident.
On multiplayer servers, the server owner can disable specific models or entire categories of models. When a model is disabled, it appears grayed out in your menu and cannot be selected. This is a server setting, not a problem with your installation. You can use that model on other servers or in single-player mode.
Some older models may be broken or incompatible with your version of Garry's Mod, especially if they were made for an older version of the game. If a model crashes your game when you try to use it, unsubscribe from it on Steam Workshop or delete the file from your models folder.
Resetting to the default model
If you want to go back to the default player model, open the spawn menu with Q, go to the Models tab, and select Citizen — this is the standard Half-Life 2 character model that Garry's Mod uses by default. You can also use the console command setmodel models/player/citizen.mdl to switch back when ready.
Your model choice does not save between sessions. When you disconnect from a server or close the game, your model resets to whatever the server default is. The next time you join that server or start a new game, you will need to select your model again.
Finding and downloading new models
The easiest place to find models is the Steam Workshop for Garry's Mod. Open Steam, go to your library, right-click Garry's Mod, select Properties, then click Browse Local Files. This opens your Garry's Mod folder. From there, you can also access Steam Workshop by searching "Garry's Mod" in the Steam store and clicking the Workshop link on the game page.
Other sites like GameBanana and ModDB host Garry's Mod models as well. When you read from these sites, you get a file that you need to place manually in your models folder. Always read from trusted sources to avoid malware or corrupted files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any model I want on multiplayer servers?
No. Server owners can restrict which models are available. If a model is grayed out in your menu, that server has disabled it. You can use it on other servers or in single-player mode, but not on that particular server.
Why does my model change back when I rejoin a server?
Garry's Mod does not save your model choice between sessions. When you disconnect, your model resets to the server default. You need to select it again each time you join.
What do I do if a model crashes my game?
Unsubscribe from the model on Steam Workshop or delete the file from your garrysmod/models/ folder. Restart Garry's Mod. If the crash happens on a specific server, the model may be broken or incompatible with that server's version of the game.
How do I know the exact name of a model for the console command?
The easiest way is to use the spawn menu instead of the console. If you must use the console, look up the model name on the Steam Workshop page or the site where you downloaded it. Model names usually follow the pattern models/player/[name].mdl.