FiveM Custom Peds Guide 2026: How to Add and Use Custom Characters

Custom peds (pedestrian models) let your FiveM server offer unique character options beyond the default GTA V models. Whether you want custom police uniforms, civilian outfits, or entirely new character models, here is how to set them up.

What Are Peds in FiveM

A "ped" is any character model in GTA V, whether it is a player, NPC, or ambient pedestrian. In FiveM, you can:

• Add entirely new character models (addon peds)
• Replace existing NPC models with custom versions
• Stream custom clothing for the MP Freemode character
• Use EUP (Emergency Uniforms Pack) for realistic emergency service outfits

Most RP servers use a combination of MP Freemode customization (clothing) and addon peds for specific roles.

Types of Custom Peds

Addon Peds: Completely new models added to the game. They have unique model names and do not replace anything existing. Players or scripts can spawn these models.

Replace Peds: Custom models that overwrite an existing GTA V NPC. When the game would normally spawn that NPC, your custom version appears instead.

MP Freemode Clothing (EUP): Custom clothing items streamed to the MP Freemode character model. This is what most RP servers use for uniforms and outfits because players keep their custom face and body while wearing streamed clothing.

Installing Addon Peds

1. Download the ped resource (should include .yft model, .ytd texture, and optionally .ydd for clothing)
2. Create a resource folder structure:

/[peds]/custom-ped-name/
  fxmanifest.lua
  /stream/
    model_name.yft
    model_name.ytd

1. Write the fxmanifest:

fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

1. The stream folder auto-streams .yft and .ytd files
2. Add ensure custom-ped-name to server.cfg
3. Spawn the ped using its model hash in a script or admin menu

Installing EUP (Emergency Uniforms Pack)

EUP is the standard for emergency service clothing on RP servers:

1. Download the EUP base pack and any addon packs you want
2. Place the EUP resource in your server resources folder
3. EUP streams clothing components to the MP Freemode model
4. Configure which departments and ranks have access to which uniforms
5. Players access EUP clothing through an in-game wardrobe or clothing menu

EUP clothing layers on top of the default character, so players keep their face, hair, and body customization while wearing uniforms.

Streaming Custom Clothing

For non-EUP custom clothing (civilian outfits, branded shirts, etc.):

1. The clothing files need proper component and drawable IDs
2. Stream them as .ydd (drawable) and .ytd (texture) files
3. Use a clothing script or wardrobe system to let players equip them
4. Each clothing piece targets a specific component slot (tops, pants, shoes, accessories)

Custom clothing requires careful file naming that matches GTA V's component system. The naming convention determines which body slot the clothing occupies.

Performance Impact

Every custom ped or clothing item adds to streaming bandwidth:

• Simple ped models: 2-5 MB each
• Detailed EUP packs: Can be 50-200 MB total for full emergency departments
• The more custom models loaded simultaneously, the more RAM and bandwidth used

Keep your ped count reasonable and compress textures where possible. Most servers run fine with a moderate EUP pack and 20-50 addon peds.

Common Issues

Ped model invisible: The .yft file name does not match the model hash being requested. Check naming conventions.

Clothing appears on wrong body part: The component/drawable ID in the filename is wrong. Follow GTA V's clothing slot numbering.

EUP not showing in menu: The EUP menu script is not configured correctly or the resource load order is wrong. EUP base must load before addon packs.

Texture glitches: The .ytd texture dictionary does not match the model name, or the texture resolution is too high for the poly count.

FAQ

What is EUP in FiveM? Emergency Uniforms Pack, the standard system for streaming custom emergency service clothing to player characters on RP servers.

Do custom peds cause lag? They increase streaming load. A reasonable amount (under 50 addon peds plus EUP) is fine for most servers. Hundreds of peds can strain bandwidth.

Can players create their own custom peds? No. Custom peds must be installed server-side. Players use the models the server provides.

Related: How to install FiveM mods, FiveM addon cars guide, FxManifest.lua reference