Hangman: the classic word guessing game
Hangman is one of the oldest word games there is, played on school boards and scraps of paper for generations. The idea is simple: a secret word is hidden behind blank spaces, and you guess letters one at a time. Every right letter fills in the word. Every wrong letter adds a part to the drawing. Guess the word before the picture is complete and you win.
Our free online hangman has 25 themes, three levels of word length, and works with both a tap-friendly on-screen keyboard and your real keyboard. It keeps track of your win streak, so you can see how long you can keep guessing correctly.
How to play
- Pick a theme. Animals, fruits, space, sports, school, jobs, countries and many more.
- Pick a level. Easy words have 3 to 5 letters, Medium 6 to 8, Hard 9 or more.
- Guess letters. Tap a letter or type it. Correct letters turn green and fill the word; wrong ones are greyed out and add to the drawing.
- Win or learn. Guess the word within six mistakes to win. If you run out, the word is revealed so you learn something new.
A strategy that works
Vowels first. Most English words contain at least one of E, A, O or I. Guessing two or three vowels early shows where the consonants must go.
Then the common consonants. R, S, T, N and L appear in a huge share of English words. They are safe, useful guesses.
Think about patterns. Once a few letters are in place, try the letter combinations English loves: TH, SH, CH, ING, ER, ED. A word ending in _ _ ING is almost done.
Use the theme. The theme is a big clue. A seven-letter word in the fruit theme with an A and an O in certain positions leaves very few options.
Why hangman is great for learning
Teachers have used hangman for decades because it is a fun way to practise spelling, letter frequency and vocabulary. Children learn which letters are common, how words are built, and new words from each theme. For adults, it is a quick brain teaser that fits into a coffee break.
More word games
Enjoyed guessing? Try Word Connect, where you swipe letters to fill a crossword, or hunt for hidden words in Word Search. For a very different kind of guessing game, Code Breaker asks you to crack a secret color code.
How to play Hangman
- A secret word is chosen from the theme you pick. Each letter is shown as an empty space.
- Guess one letter at a time by tapping it or typing it on your keyboard.
- A correct letter fills every space where it appears. A wrong letter adds a part to the drawing.
- Guess the whole word before six wrong letters finish the drawing to win.
Hangman tips
Start with common vowels
E, A, O and I appear in most English words. One or two vowels usually reveal the shape of the word.
Then try common consonants
R, S, T, N and L are the most frequent consonants. Save rare letters like Q, Z and X for when you have a strong guess.
Use the theme and the length
A five-letter animal and a five-letter fruit narrow things down fast. Think of words that fit the theme and the gaps.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play hangman?
A secret word is shown as blanks. You guess letters one at a time. Right letters fill in the blanks; wrong letters add a part to the drawing. Guess the word before the drawing is complete to win.
How many wrong guesses do I get?
Six on every level. The level only changes the word length. Easy has 3 to 5 letters, Medium 6 to 8, and Hard 9 or more.
Is this hangman game suitable for children?
Yes. The words come from friendly themes like animals, fruits, school and space, and the drawing is a simple cartoon.
What is the best first letter in hangman?
E is the most common letter in English, so it is a strong first guess, followed by A, O, I and the consonants R, S, T, N and L.
