How to play Hangman
- Choose the difficulty (word length) and, if you like, a category.
- Check how many letters the hidden word has: each one is a blank space.
- Tap a letter on the keyboard. If it's in the word, it appears in its place; if not, another part of the hangman is drawn.
- You win if you uncover the whole word before the drawing is complete (7 wrong guesses).
Tips for winning at Hangman
Start with the most common letters in English: E, T, A, O, I and N show up in the vast majority of words. Once a few letters are revealed, think about which words from that category fit the length and the letters you've uncovered.
The category is a big help: if the theme is animals or jobs, think of words from that group. On easy, words have 4 to 6 letters, on medium 6 to 8, and on hard 8 to 11.
Words are picked in your browser from our own bank of everyday words, and nothing is sent to any server. Your wins, losses, streak and settings are saved on your device.
Things to keep in mind
- The game uses the 26 letters of the English alphabet, with no accents or special characters.
- Scores and settings are saved only in this browser: if you clear the site's data, they are lost.
- If you use a hint, the game doesn't count toward your winning streak.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Hangman?
You have to guess a hidden word by trying letters. Each letter that isn't in the word adds a part to the hangman drawing; if you complete it before uncovering the word, you lose.
How many wrong guesses are allowed?
Seven. The seventh mistake completes the drawing and the game ends.
Can I choose the theme of the words?
Yes. Pick a category (animals, food, around the house, nature, body and clothes, or jobs) or leave it on "All".
What is the hint for?
It reveals a letter of the word without costing you a try. If you use it, that win doesn't count toward your streak.
Is it free? Do I need to install anything?
It's free, needs no sign-up, and works right in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.