Free games like Codenames to play online
If you want games like Codenames, Letternerd does not have a Codenames clone: there is no grid of agents and no spymaster. The nearest games are One Clue, where everyone writes a one-word clue for a guesser and matching clues cancel out, and Four Links, where you sort sixteen words into four hidden groups. Both are free and run in the browser.
What is Codenames?
Codenames is a word board game designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Games Edition. Two teams sit around a grid of word cards. Each team has a spymaster who knows which words belong to their side and gives one-word clues, with a number, to steer teammates towards them while avoiding the other team’s words and one card that loses the game outright. Czech Games Edition also runs an official version you can play in a web browser.
Why people look for games like Codenames
- You have already played the official online version a lot and want a different kind of clue game.
- You do not have four or more people for two teams tonight.
- You want a word game you can also play solo or over a few days in a group chat.
- You want several party games in one place, not just one.
Letternerd vs Codenames
| Feature | Codenames | Letternerd |
|---|---|---|
| The idea | Spymasters give one-word clues to point teammates at their words on a grid | One Clue: everyone clues one guesser; Four Links: find four hidden groups of four |
| Teams | Two teams with a spymaster each | One Clue is everyone helping the guesser; Four Links is every player for themselves on the same board |
| Where you play | Board game at a table, plus an official browser version | In the browser, every player on their own phone |
| Joining | Sitting at the table, or a shared online room | Room code, link or QR code, as a guest |
| Solo play | Not the main way to play | Four Links works solo; One Clue needs at least three |
| Make your own | Custom word lists in the online version | Make your own game from a sentence or by hand |
Which should you pick?
Pick Codenames if
- You want Codenames itself: the grid, the spymasters and the team-against-team tension.
- You have a table of friends and the box, which is still the best way to play it.
Pick Letternerd if
Pick Letternerd if- You want a one-word clue game that works with three people.
- You want a word-group puzzle everyone plays at once on their own phone.
- You want to move on to other party games in the same room without anyone downloading anything.
How One Clue plays
- One player is the guesser and cannot see the word. Everyone else can.
- Each of the others writes a one-word clue for the guesser.
- Clues that match cancel out, so the obvious one often disappears. Be helpful, not obvious.
- The guesser reads the clues that are left and has a go. A right guess scores for the guesser and for everyone whose clue survived.
It is the same instinct Codenames rewards, finding the one word that points the right way, but you are helping a single guesser rather than playing against another team.
Word game night plan for three to ten people
- Warm up with Four Links: everyone plays the same sixteen words and compares mistakes at the end.
- Main game: One Clue, so each person takes a turn as the guesser.
- Finish with Category Clash: one letter, six categories, and only answers nobody else thought of score.
Play games like Codenames
Free in your browser on any phone or computer. Play alone, or share the room code and everyone joins as a guest.
- One Clue3–10 players · 12 minEveryone writes a one-word clue for the guesser. Matching clues cancel out, so be helpful, not obvious.
- Four Links1–12 players · 8 minSixteen words, four hidden groups of four. Find them all before your four mistakes run out.
- Category Clash2–10 players · 10 minOne letter, six categories, ninety seconds. Only the answers nobody else thought of score.
- Word Hive1–12 players · 6 minSeven letters, one in the middle, two minutes. Make more words than anyone else, and find the one that uses them all.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play Codenames online for free?
Czech Games Edition, which publishes Codenames, runs an official browser version. If you want something different, Letternerd’s One Clue and Four Links are free word games you play from a room link on your phone.
Is there a Codenames game on Letternerd?
No. Letternerd has no Codenames clone. The closest games are One Clue, a one-word clue game for three to ten players, and Four Links, where you find four hidden groups of four words.
What is a good Codenames-style game for three players?
One Clue works from three players: one person guesses and the other two each write a one-word clue. With only two clue-givers, a matching clue cancels both, so think twice before writing the obvious word.
Can we play a word clue game over Zoom?
Yes. Talk on Zoom, FaceTime or Discord as usual, and everyone opens the same Letternerd room in their browser. Each player sees the game on their own screen, so nobody has to share theirs.
More games
Other comparisons
See all- Co-operative one-word clue gameGames like Just OneWant to play a game like Just One online? One Clue on Letternerd: everyone writes a one-word clue for the guesser and matching clues cancel out. Free.
- Daily word-grouping puzzle from NYT GamesGames like ConnectionsFour Links is a free game like NYT Connections: sixteen words, four hidden groups, four mistakes. Play alone or race friends on the same board in your browser.
- Clue-on-a-dial party gameGames like WavelengthWant a Wavelength-style game online? On a Scale on Letternerd: one player clues a hidden spot on a 0–10 dial and everyone guesses it on their own phone.
- Online board game platformBoard Game Arena alternativeWant something lighter than Board Game Arena? Letternerd has free social, word and party games in the browser that friends join from a link as guests.
Codenames is a trademark of its owner. Letternerd is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. The comparison describes each product as publicly presented and may change; check their site for the latest.