Treasure chests are boxes full of valuable coins, items, loot, and other treasure. Fictional treasure chests are often found on pirate islands, in hidden chambers, or locked away in vaults. Treasure maps may lead to their locations but keys may be required to open them. Treasure chests may be monsters in disguise or may be traps put in place for the greedy.

Treasure chests may be ornate boxes encrusted with gold and jewels. They may be study boxes encased by iron and built to resist any attempt to open them. The design of the treasure chest can provide clues or context for both what kind of treasure is contained within as well as who built the box. Ancient treasure chests, for instance, may be reminiscent of the architecture of the culture that built them.

For worlds that incorporate magic or paranormal forces, treasure chests may be decorated with magic or occult symbols.

Often treasure chests require a key to be opened which is often found in

While pirate treasure is found on treasure islands and often in sea caves or buried on sandy beaches, the treasure chests of fantasy game worlds are often located in hidden chambers or locked in rooms that require a key. These rooms are often designed to keep the treasure safe, either by keeping it hidden or by guarding it. There may be traps, alarm systems, guards, or other narratively interesting elements to these sites.

Treasure chests may not contain treasure, but may instead contain only evil. These may be traps, monsters, or other punishments for reckless greed.