diff --git a/src/modules/client/layout/ClientLayout.jsx b/src/modules/client/layout/ClientLayout.jsx
index ed3fe40..c971c8f 100644
--- a/src/modules/client/layout/ClientLayout.jsx
+++ b/src/modules/client/layout/ClientLayout.jsx
@@ -152,12 +152,20 @@ function ClientNav() {
     // Caches the resolved stream URL per asset_id — avoids re-hitting /media/token
     // for the same asset on re-renders. Token TTL is 4h so safe within a session.
     const badgeTokenCache = useRef({})
+    // Starts false on every mount (incl. full page reloads) so the tier badge
+    // shows a gray skeleton instead of flashing "Free" before /tiers/me resolves —
+    // myTier stays null for genuinely-free users too, so it can't be used as the signal.
+    const [tierReady, setTierReady] = useState(false)
 
     useEffect(() => {
         if (!user) return;
         if (achievements.length === 0) getAchievements();
-        if (!myTier) getMyTier();
         if (tierCategories.length === 0) getTierCategories();
+        if (!myTier) {
+            getMyTier().finally(() => setTierReady(true));
+        } else {
+            setTierReady(true);
+        }
     }, [user]);
 
     // ── Derive directly from auth user — same pattern as admin UserMenu ──────
@@ -247,7 +255,12 @@ function ClientNav() {
                             </svg>
                         </div>
                         <div id="name" className="lg:-ml-1 font-medium text-sm flex items-center gap-2">
-                            {tierBadge && (
+                            {!tierReady ? (
+                                <div className="xs:hidden md:inline-flex items-center gap-1 px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold bg-muted animate-pulse">
+                                    <div className="size-3 rounded-full bg-muted-foreground/30" />
+                                    <span className="text-transparent select-none">Free</span>
+                                </div>
+                            ) : tierBadge && (
                                 <div className={`xs:hidden md:inline-flex items-center gap-1 px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-full text-xs font-semibold ${tierBadge.cls}`}>
                                     {badgeImgUrl
                                         ? <img src={badgeImgUrl} className="size-3.5 rounded-full object-cover" />