Most – but not all – forms of pornography are legal in Texas. However, there are laws in place to protect vulnerable people from unknowingly or indirectly becoming the subject of pornographic images.
There are also rules in place to protect minors from exposure to harmful or obscene content.
In some instances, even sharing images provided with the subject’s consent is also illegal, particularly if you share them in retaliation. The number of clients we see who have been charged with “revenge porn” is growing steadily.
Key Takeaways
- Porn is legal in Texas, but there are a few key exceptions, including child pornography and revenge porn
- Revenge porn cases are becoming more common as new laws crack down on technology
- Despite porn’s legal status, some popular porn websites are blocked due to a state law requiring users to upload an ID
Is Porn Banned in Texas?
Texas has not banned porn, though it may seem that way if you try to log in to a website with adult content.
Porn is still available at retail locations across the Lone Star State.
Accessing porn online is more complicated. A state law that was enacted in 2023 caused Pornhub (and other well-known porn sites) to block access in Texas. However, browsing these sites remains legal. Access was blocked by the companies that run the sites, not the state.
Texas Porn Laws
The state has laws in place to limit who can legally buy, sell, or view porn. You must:
- Be age 18 or older
- Buy items from a licensed shop or distributor
- Do not provide material to anyone under 18
- Only purchase and view material of consenting adults ages 18 or older
House Bill 1181 and Texas’s Age Verification Law
In June 2023, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1181 into law. As we previously mentioned, the law requires adult websites to ensure that anyone accessing them is at least 18 by using “reasonable age verification methods.”
The law spent years being challenged in court. However, on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ended the dispute, upholding the law in a 6-3 decision. Any site that devotes more than one-third of its content to pornographic images is required to comply with the state law.
HB 1131 is the reason Pornhub blocked Texans’ access to the site in March 2024. If you attempt to log in, you will see a lengthy message about device-based age verification:
However, accessing those sites in Texas remains legal. The companies voluntarily blocked them, and sites that continue to be accessible in the state will require users to upload a government-issued ID or agree to use facial-recognition software.
The law, as written, does not penalize Texans for violations. Instead, it holds the websites accountable, requiring them to pay civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day.
8 Types of Porn that are Illegal in Texas
There are a few types of porn that are illegal in Texas. Most of them are designed to protect children, and a few laws protect adults’ privacy. And AI has also entered the chat, with laws prohibiting the use of artificial images that depict children or show their actual features.
Here are the most common types of porn charges in Texas:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is pornography completely legal in Texas?
No. Most pornography is legal for adults over 18, but there are strict laws against child pornography, revenge porn, and certain obscene materials. Online adult content may also require age verification.
Q. What is revenge porn, and is it illegal in Texas?
Revenge porn refers to sharing intimate images or videos of someone without their consent, often in retaliation. It is illegal in Texas and can be classified as a Class C or Class A misdemeanor depending on repeat offenses.
Q. How does House Bill 1181 affect online porn access in Texas?
HB 1181, signed in 2023, requires adult websites to verify that all users are at least 18 years old. Some websites, like Pornhub, voluntarily blocked Texas users to comply with the law.
Q. What types of pornography are illegal in Texas?
Illegal types include child pornography, obscene materials distributed in a way that could offend or alarm others, AI-generated content depicting minors, sexual performances by children, and distributing harmful material to minors.
Q. Are Texans penalized for accessing blocked porn sites?
No. The law targets website operators, not users. Residents are not penalized for accessing sites that comply with age verification rules or are voluntarily blocked.
