Category Clue is a free online category guessing game you can play instantly in your browser, no download and no account needed. Each level hides a category behind a single clue word — say "Penne" — and shows you 4 possible category names to choose from. Guess right on that first clue for a full 100 points, or if you are not sure, tap Reveal Another Clue to see one more word before committing. Guess wrong and that option is eliminated for good while the next clue appears automatically, so a round always narrows down to the right answer even if you take a swing and miss. There are 12 hand-picked puzzles that get trickier as you climb: early levels use categories with no real overlap, while later levels deliberately throw in decoy category names that technically fit some of the clues too, like offering "Roman Gods" alongside a set of planet names. Score is based on how few clues you needed and how many guesses you used, and you can replay any unlocked level as many times as you like.
How to play Category Clue
- Each level starts with one clue word shown, and 4 possible category names underneath it.
- Tap the category you think all the clues belong to.
- Guess correctly and the round is solved immediately — the fewer clues you needed, the more points you earn.
- Guess wrong and that option is eliminated for the rest of the round, and the next clue word is revealed automatically for free.
- Not ready to guess? Tap Reveal Another Clue to see one more word without eliminating an option, though it still lowers your maximum possible score.
- A round always converges — once 3 of the 4 options are eliminated, the last one standing has to be correct.
Tips
- If the first clue could belong to several categories, use Reveal Another Clue instead of guessing blind — a wrong guess costs more than a voluntary reveal.
- From level 6 onward, watch for decoy category names that technically fit one or two of the clues too — read every clue shown before committing, not just the newest one.
- You never lose progress on a wrong guess beyond the score penalty, so eliminating an obviously-wrong option early is a safe way to narrow down the field.
- The highest scores come from confident first-clue guesses, so puzzles you already know well (like classic chess pieces or poker hands) are worth guessing on immediately.
FAQ
Is Category Clue free to play?
Yes. Category Clue is completely free to play online with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
Does Category Clue work on mobile?
Yes — tap a clue and tap a category option, so it plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop.
How many clues do I get?
Every puzzle has 5 clue words in total. You start with one visible and see more either by guessing wrong (which also eliminates that option) or by tapping Reveal Another Clue voluntarily.
Does guessing wrong end the round?
No. A wrong guess just eliminates that option and reveals the next clue for free — the round keeps going until you pick the correct category, so you can always finish a puzzle.
How is my score calculated?
Each round starts at 100 points, minus 15 for every clue beyond the first you needed to see, minus 10 for every wrong guess, floored at 10 points for any solved round.
How many levels does Category Clue have?
There are 12 levels, ordered from straightforward categories to ones with deliberately tricky decoy answers. You can replay any unlocked level any time.