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Cipher Cove

Escape the Cove

A storm has trapped you in the old lighthouse at Cipher Cove. Eight locks stand between you and the door, and each one uses a different code. Find the words, open the doors, get out.

Lighting the lantern...

How to play

  1. Read the room. The story often holds a clue about the code.
  2. Work out the hidden word and type it in the box.
  3. Press Open. If the word is right, the door opens and the next room appears.

Need a hand? The first hint names the code, and the second opens the right tool in a new tab. You can also keep a pen and paper handy, as real escape room players do.

What you will learn

Every lock is a real code with a real history, and each one has a page here if you want to explore it further:

  • A1Z26, the first code most puzzle fans learn.
  • The Caesar cipher, used by Julius Caesar for private letters.
  • The Atbash cipher, which began with the Hebrew alphabet.
  • Morse code, which carried messages across the world by telegraph.
  • Braille, the raised dots invented by Louis Braille.
  • Wingdings, the symbol font from the 1990s.
  • Binary, the language of computers.
  • The Vigenère cipher, once called the unbreakable cipher.

More puzzle games

If you liked this, try the daily cryptogram, the Code Breaker vault or the 60 second Cipher Sprint.

Frequently asked questions

Is this online escape room free?

Yes. It runs in your browser, with no signup and no download.

How long does it take?

It depends on how well you know your codes. Most of the locks take a few minutes each, and the timer only runs while the page is open and visible, so take a break whenever you like.

Will I lose my progress if I close the page?

No. Your room, time and hints are saved in this browser, so you can come back later. Clearing site data, or switching to another device, starts the game over.

Can I reread the story?

Yes. The keeper's log under the puzzle keeps every room you have opened, with its story and answer, including after you escape.

What if I get stuck?

Each room has two hints. The first tells you what kind of code you are looking at. The second opens the matching tool in a new tab, where you can paste the code in. Your result shows how many hints you used.

Can I play with friends or a class?

Yes. It works well on a shared screen or with everyone on their own phone, racing for the best time and fewest hints. It suits classrooms and team building, and there is nothing to set up.

I cannot solve the last room. Any tips?

The last lock needs a keyword, and the note tells you where it is: go back to the very first door you opened. Then use the second hint to open the tool and type that word in as the keyword.

More translators and charts

Code BreakerCrack the secret code with logic. A new vault every day.Cipher SprintDecode as many words as you can in 60 seconds, from Caesar shifts to binary.Daily CryptogramA new letter puzzle every day. Crack the code, keep your streak and share your time.