Codenames FAQ
57 questions players ask · Updated Nov 7, 2026 · Full rulebook
Setup and variants
Turns and guessing
- How many guesses does my team get after a clue?
- After a correct guess, does my spymaster give another clue?
- Does the extra guess, or any guess, have to relate to the current clue?
- Can I use the extra guess on the very first turn?
- Does a wrong guess still end the turn after a 0 or unlimited clue?
- The guesser picked one of our words, but not the one I meant. Does it count?
- What if someone touches a card before the spymaster has given a clue?
- Is random guessing against the rules?
- Can a spymaster repeat a clue word or clue a card again on a later turn?
- Can operatives look at the covered cards to see what was already guessed?
- Can players take notes or look words up on a phone?
- Can the guessing team discuss the clue openly?
- Can the operatives suggest clues or announce conditional plans to the spymaster?
- What happens if the spymaster gives an invalid clue?
- Who decides whether a questionable clue is valid?
- Are the Flexible Rules part of the standard game?
Spymaster conduct
- Can the spymaster react or say anything besides the clue and number?
- Can the spymaster touch or reach for cards before the team picks one?
- Can the spymaster repeat the clue or remind the team of earlier clues?
- Does the spymaster have to spell the clue when asked?
- Can the spymaster use emphasis, an accent or a dramatic voice to hint?
- Can the spymaster say whether a guess was right or hint at the remaining words?
- May the spymaster talk about other things during the game?
- Can a spymaster build a clue from words they overheard the operatives discussing?
Clue numbers: zero, unlimited and extra guesses
- Can the spymaster give a number higher than the words the clue actually relates to?
- Can spymasters use agreed codes like decimal numbers or secret meanings for numbers?
- What does a 0 clue mean, and how many guesses does it allow?
- What does an unlimited clue do?
- Must an unlimited clue relate to a remaining word?
- If a clue could also point to an enemy word, what number do I say?
- Can a clue target just one word?
Valid clues: words on the table
- Can a clue be a visible board word, or a form of one?
- Can I clue a part of a compound word on the table, like man for SNOWMAN?
- Can I use a related word that isn't a form of the board word, like land for ENGLAND?
- Can a clue refer to a card's position, length or letters?
- Are foreign words allowed as clues?
- Can I use a number as a clue, or a code like 2514?
Valid clues: compounds, names and acronyms
- Can a clue be a multi-word name, like New York or a film title?
- Can I clue just part of a multi-word name, or a name whose words each hit a different card?
- Are acronyms and abbreviations like CIA valid clues?
- Are two-word or hyphenated compounds, or invented compounds, valid clues?
- Can a clue combine with a card to make a compound word?
Valid clues: sound, spelling and meaning
- Are rhyming clues valid?
- Can a clue use a homophone, such as knight for NIGHT?
- Are misspelled or invented words valid clues?
- Can I clue by a word hidden in or sounding like the target, like gland for ENGLAND?
- Can a clue rely on personal knowledge, an idiom or a pun?
- Can a clue point at a phrase made of two board words, like Luck for SHOE and HORSE?
- Can a clue be a different form of a word, like a plural or past tense?