# Can Skype be used for 3 or more parties? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863 "2011-12-02T17:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/1 "2011-12-02T17:54:44Z")
I’ve only ever used it for one-on-one conversations, but can it be used for more than two users? If so, what settings do you use? Thanks for any info- ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/2 "2011-12-02T18:13:40Z")
I don’t think it can. if you are interested in video chat between multiple users, check out the Hangout feature in Google+ ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/3 "2011-12-02T18:18:56Z")
it can. i have older version and haven’t used in a while so i don’t know settings. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/4 "2011-12-02T18:44:51Z")
Yes, you can, but you have to upgrade and it costs money (I think it’s a few bucks). Also, all parties in the multi-video call have to have upgraded as well. You can do multiple party voice calls for free, however. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/5 "2011-12-03T01:11:55Z")
Skype works fine with multiple people with just the free version. We use it regularly for that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Janetda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@Janetda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janetda)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/6 "2011-12-03T04:47:47Z")
You can use Skype for up to (I think it’s) 25 people per conversation, although it gets confusing. We used it for meetings all the time. Here’s the Mac FAQ for conference calls. I’m sure there’s a PC FAQ too. [How do I make a call in Skype? | Skype Support](https://support.skype.com/en-us/faq/FA10809/Conference-calling-Mac) ---
**Author:** ![wmfellows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c2a13f/32.png) [@wmfellows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmfellows)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/7 "2011-12-03T21:41:00Z")
Absolutely, although in firm we have found that above single digits of participants, after about 45mn to 1 hr there is a tendency for the connection to break down. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/8 "2011-12-03T23:15:34Z")
I use it frequently for this as well, its simple hold down control left click on each person you want in the call right click and chose either call or conference call (cant remember which) not sure what the limit is with the free version but I have had 6 or so in call at once. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/9 "2011-12-03T23:19:01Z")
You guys are talking voice calls only though, right? Not video? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-skype-be-used-for-3-or-more-parties/604863/10 "2011-12-03T23:25:28Z")
Both. We frequently use it for podcasts for [gameindustry.com](http://gameindustry.com). Usually voice but occasionally video as well.