While there’s no shortage of post-apocalyptic settings in gaming, few come close to the depth and breadth of the Fallout universe. Even just hearing the name “Vault-Tec” is enough to make in-the-know fans squint—and shiver.
Anyone who’s ever played a Fallout game knows the iconic sight of those massive circular Vault doors: symbols of survival, hope, and (spoilers) a good dose of corporate betrayal.
As you’ll soon see, Vaults play a pivotal role in how you navigate and survive this nuclear-torn world. But one thing that always leaves players wondering is: How many Vaults are there, really?
Well, while there are 122 Vaults across the Fallout universe, only a handful were ever meant to house humans safely—and even fewer actually appear in the games.
So we’re braving the Wasteland to explore a few of the most important Vaults and uncover the secrets they hold. Grab your RadAway – we’re going Vault hunting!
What Is a “Vault” in Fallout?
If you’re brand new to the Fallout universe, you might be wondering: what exactly is a Vault?
Before the Great War turned Earth into a glowing nightmare, Vault-Tec promised safety through massive underground bunkers. Marketed as shelters to preserve humanity, these Vaults were actually something much darker. Many were elaborate social experiments—funded by the U.S. government and designed to test the psychological, sociological, and even physical limits of their residents.
Some Vaults were genuine sanctuaries. Most were anything but.
So why would a government—and more importantly, a corporation—do such a thing? Surprise, surprise: the ultimate goal was to gather data on human behavior to inform how best to repopulate the Earth after nuclear annihilation.
Even the “good” Vaults weren’t all the same. Each had its own twisted backstory, hidden secrets, and the survivors who (somehow) made it out alive.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most notable Vaults—and where you can find them.
Vault 13
For many fans, Vault 13 feels like home base. It’s where the very first Fallout game begins, placing you in the shoes of the original Vault Dweller. Located in southern California, just west of Shady Sands, this Vault was designed to remain sealed for 200 years. Its purpose? To study the effects of long-term isolation on an untainted, pre-war population.
Of course, things don’t go as planned. When the water chip fails, you — as the player character — are forced to venture into the outside world, setting in motion one of the most iconic journeys in RPG history.
Vault 111
Fans of Fallout 4 will never forget Vault 111. Nestled just outside Boston, near Sanctuary Hills, this Vault lured residents in with promises of safety — but in true Fallout fashion, that wasn’t the case. Staffed by a single Overseer and a small team of scientists, security, and maintenance personnel, Vault 111 is significantly smaller than most others in the Fallout universe. But that doesn’t diminish its importance in expanding the series’ lore.
The Vault’s true purpose? To study the effects of suspended cryosleep on unsuspecting residents — proving that the imagination of corporate executives truly knows no bounds.
Spoiler alert: things don’t exactly go to plan. Your spouse is murdered. Your baby is kidnapped. And when you finally wake up… the world’s gone to hell in a side quest.
Vault 76
Unlike most Vaults in the Fallout universe, Vault 76 had a very different mission. Made famous in Fallout 76, it was one of the few Vaults that actually worked as intended. It housed some of the best and brightest — the so-called “cream of the crop” — and was designed to serve as a control group.
Vault 76 opened just 25 years after the bombs fell, releasing its residents into what was left of Appalachia. This wasn’t an experiment in torment (for once), but rather a launching point for rebuilding civilization.
At first, you might get that familiar sinking feeling — as if something’s about to go horribly wrong. But for once… everything’s fine. That’s what makes Vault 76 so unique in the lore: it wasn’t out to mess you up. So rest easy — and take in the beauty of Appalachia while you can. It won’t be long before the radroaches show up.
Vault 101
Welcome to Vault 101 — where the motto is grim and the drama is high. Featured in Fallout 3, this Vault was sealed tight: no one goes in, and no one comes out.
Located in the Capital Wasteland of Virginia, near Megaton and Springvale, Vault 101 was designed to study how people cope with a lifetime of isolation — a closed ecosystem with no escape. Naturally, things get dicey. Leadership turns authoritarian. Secrets bubble to the surface. And eventually, someone breaks the cycle.
And what better someone than you?
Vault 101 isn’t just the starting point for Fallout 3 — it’s a metaphor for growing up, breaking rules, and choosing your own path in a chaotic world.
Vault 22
Not all Vaults were about psychological manipulation. Some explored bio-engineering — which, of course, went completely off the rails. Enter Vault 22.
Located in the Mojave Wasteland of Nevada (as seen in Fallout: New Vegas), this Vault set out to use genetically modified crops to create sustainable food sources.
It worked… a little too well.
The plants took over. Genetically modified fungi mutated beyond control, turning residents into spore carriers. What was meant to be a green utopia became a terrifying jungle of nightmares.
Exploring Vault 22 feels like stepping into an abandoned sci-fi horror movie — flickering lights, deadly infections, and the eerie sense that nature had the last laugh. Unsurprisingly, this Vault left a lasting impression on players and helped cement Fallout: New Vegas as a fan favorite.
Vault 95
In the Commonwealth, southeast of Natick, lies Vault 95 — and it has a particularly cruel story to tell.
Populated entirely by individuals struggling with drug addiction, the Vault’s stated purpose was rehabilitation. Sounds noble, right? Of course not.
After five years of recovery and stability, Vault-Tec introduced a massive stash of chems into the Vault — just to see what would happen. Predictably, chaos followed.
By the time you arrive in Fallout 4, Vault 95 stands as a bleak critique of institutional cruelty — and, naturally, it’s extremely dangerous to explore.
Vault 12
Here’s a fun one — if your idea of a good time is living with the side effects of a faulty Vault door.
Vault 12, located beneath what’s now known as Necropolis, was designed to test long-term radiation exposure by deliberately building a Vault that wouldn’t seal properly.
The result? Everyone inside was exposed. Some residents became feral ghouls, while others retained their intelligence — eventually forming the ghoul settlement we first encounter in Fallout 1.
Vault 12 is a cornerstone of ghoul lore — and a reminder that Vault-Tec never missed a chance to ruin lives in the name of science.
Vault 108
Clones named Gary. That’s the entire horror show that is Vault 108.
Located in the Capital Wasteland near North Washington D.C., this Vault takes social experimentation to another level — complete with failing systems and an overflowing armory. What could possibly go wrong?
Vault 108 was designed to study the effects of leadership breakdown and human cloning. The Overseer was terminally ill and scheduled to die within months. The power systems were set to fail after 20 years. And in the middle of it all: a cloning lab, producing endless copies of one man — all mysteriously named “Gary.”
“Gary?”
“Gaaaary!”
It’s weird. It’s creepy. It’s quintessentially Fallout.
Level up Your Gaming Space – with Style
Now that you’ve taken the ultimate Vault tour, why not bring some of that post-apocalyptic charm into the real world?
Our officially licensed Fallout metal posters are the perfect way to turn your gaming setup from ghoulish to great. Built from durable metal, they’re tough enough to survive a nuclear blast — and thanks to their clever tool-free mounting system, they’re incredibly easy to swap out whenever you’re ready for a new vibe.
Whether you’re drawn to the retro cool of Nuka Cola or the intimidating edge of Power Armor, there’s a design ready to suit your corner of the Wasteland.
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