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Cipher Sprint

A word appears in code. Type what it says before the clock runs out. Each correct word adds time and builds your combo, and the ciphers get harder as your score climbs.

Ready to crack some codes?

You have 60 seconds. Each correct word adds 3 more.

Best score: 0

How the rounds get harder

The game starts with the friendliest codes and adds tougher ones as your score grows:

  • Starting out: A1Z26 numbers and small Caesar shifts. The shift is shown, so move each letter back by that amount.
  • From 120 points: the Atbash mirror alphabet joins in.
  • From 300 points: Morse code appears.
  • From 550 points: braille and Wingdings arrive.
  • From 900 points: binary, in short words worth the most per letter.

Tips for a high score

  • Learn a handful of letters first. In Morse, E is one dot and T is one dash. In A1Z26, remember that M is 13, the middle of the alphabet.
  • Spot the word from its shape. You rarely need every letter. Decode the first two or three and guess the rest.
  • Protect your combo. The multiplier is worth more than any single word, but do not sit on a word for ten seconds.
  • Skip binary if you are slow at it. It pays well, but only if you can read it quickly.

Want a slower puzzle?

Try the daily cryptogram, which has no time pressure, or paste a real mystery code into the cipher identifier.

Frequently asked questions

How do I play Cipher Sprint?

Press Play and type the hidden word as soon as you work it out. There is no Enter key to press: a correct word scores by itself and the next one appears. You start with 60 seconds, and each correct word adds 3 seconds.

How does scoring work?

Longer words and harder ciphers are worth more. Each correct word in a row raises your combo, up to five times the points. Skipping a word resets the combo and costs 2 seconds, so a quick guess can be worth it.

What if I do not know the cipher?

Open Show the key under the answer box to see the whole alphabet in the current cipher. The clock keeps running, but it is a good way to learn. After a few runs you will start to recognize the common letters.

What is the daily run?

Everyone gets the same starting words on the same calendar day, so you can compare scores with friends. Your rounds change as your score changes, since harder ciphers join the mix sooner for faster players.

How do I challenge a friend?

After a run, press Share score. The link you copy gives your friend the same starting words and shows them the score to beat. Later rounds can differ, because they depend on the score so far.

Where is my best score saved?

Only in this browser. There are no accounts, so clearing site data or changing device starts it over.