How to play WordSpies

WordSpies is a free online word game inspired by the party classic Codenames. Two teams — Red and Blue — race to find their secret words on a five-by-five grid, using one-word clues from their spymasters, while carefully avoiding the assassin. Everyone plays from their own phone or laptop, so it works around a table or over a video call.

What you need

• At least 4 players (2 per team). The sweet spot is 6–10.
• Each player on their own device — phone, tablet or laptop.
• No accounts, no downloads. Open the site and share a 4-letter code.

The five-step round

1. Create a room. Tap ▶ Play Codenames, enter your name, and you'll get a four-letter code and shareable link. Send it to your friends.
2. Split into teams. Everyone joins Red or Blue. Each team picks one Spymaster — they see which words on the grid belong to which team. Everyone else is a Guesser and sees only the words.
3. Spymaster gives a clue. One word plus a number, like OCEAN · 2, linking two of your team's words. Clues must be single words unrelated to any word on the board.
4. Guessers discuss and tap. Guessers tap the words they think match the clue. Right answer? Keep going, up to the number given plus one. Wrong answer? Your turn ends — worse if you hit the other team's word, or a neutral one.
5. First team to find all their words wins. But watch out for the assassin — tap it by accident and your team loses instantly.

Tips for great clues

• Numbers matter. "OCEAN · 3" is bold; "OCEAN · 1" is safe. Bigger risks turn tighter games.
• Themes usually beat single connections. "SPORT · 2" for TENNIS and BASEBALL is stronger than a fragile pun.
• Avoid words that touch the assassin — a great clue that lands on it costs you the game.
• Guessers should think out loud. Half the fun is the arguments before the tap.

Playing remotely on a video call

Keep your Zoom, Meet or FaceTime call running. Everyone opens WordSpies on their phone. Debates happen live on the call; the tapping happens on the phones. It's the same game — just louder.

Frequently asked

Is WordSpies really free? Yes. No sign-up, no download, no ads on the game screen.

Can we play with 2 or 3? Technically yes, but 4+ makes the game come alive. With just 2, our 🧠 Mind Meld or 🔴 Connect 4 are better fits.

What happens if my phone drops the connection? Rejoin from the same link — the game reseats you.

Is this Codenames? WordSpies is inspired by Codenames but is its own independent game, not affiliated with Codenames or Czech Games Edition.