How to Play Charades
One player acts out a word while everyone else shouts guesses against the clock. That is the whole game. Whether you stay silent, hum a tune, or roar like an animal depends on the pack. Everything below is detail that makes it run smoothly.
How a round works
- 1
Pick a word pack
Choose a theme everyone knows — movies, animals, or something harder. Tap a pack above to load its words.
- 2
Set the timer
One minute per round is the sweet spot. Shorten it for easy packs, stretch it for hard ones.
- 3
Act it out
Don't say the answer. Whether humming, animal noises, or total silence is allowed depends on the pack — songs want a tune, movies want mime.
- 4
Score a point per guess
Every correct guess is a point. Hit Pass to skip a word and move on.
The rules
Don't say the answer
That is the only hard line. Humming, roaring, or staying silent is a house rule — songs usually allow a tune, animals often allow noises, movie titles usually stay quiet. Agree before the first round.
No props
Only body movements. Pointing at real objects in the room is out.
Keep it age-appropriate
Match the pack to the room. Playing with kids? Stick to the Kids, Animals and Colors packs.
Be a good sport
The point is laughing together. Cheer for bad acting as much as good guessing.
Scoring
Keep playing until you want to stop. Highest total wins if you are keeping score. A tie can be one extra round with a thirty-second timer.
Be strict about what counts. Only the complete answer scores: “Titanic” counts, “the boat movie” does not. Loosen this and the scores stop meaning anything by round three.
When you play here, scoring is automatic — tap Correct or Pass and the round summary shows every word with the result.
Start with an easy pack
Frequently asked questions
How do you play charades online?
Pick a word pack on this page and press play. One player reads the word on screen and acts it out while everyone else guesses. Tap Correct when the team gets it or Pass to skip, and the timer ends the round automatically.
Is this charades generator free?
Yes. Some packs play as often as you like in the browser — no signup and no email. Every other pack includes a free 10-word preview, then the rest of the words live in the Charades app, a free download on the App Store.
How many players do you need for charades?
Two people is enough — one acts, one guesses. More people just means more guesses at once.
How long should a charades round be?
Sixty seconds per turn is the classic length. Use 30 seconds for easy packs like Animals or Colors, and up to two minutes for harder packs like Movies or Songs.
What are good charades words for kids?
Stick to things they can physically copy: animals, everyday objects, jobs and colors. The Kids, Animals, Colors, Fruits and School packs are built for exactly that.
Can I play charades on a phone?
Yes. This page works on any phone browser. The app goes further with hands-free play, where you hold the phone to your forehead and tilt it down for correct or up to pass.
Free download
The web version is the trailer. The app is the movie.
Play the free packs here as often as you like, and try a 10-word preview of the rest. The app unlocks every pack — no ads, no internet needed.
Download on the App StoreScan to install on your phone
Point your camera at the code and the App Store opens on the device you actually play on.
Hands-free, no phone juggling
Hold the phone to your forehead. Tilt it down when your team gets the word, tilt up to pass. Nobody has to tap anything.
88 packs, 4,200+ words
Movies, K-Pop, wrestling, holidays, and packs built for kids. Play unlimited rounds without repeating yourself.
Record the round
Film the chaos while you play, then keep the clip or send it to the group chat.
Make your own packs
Inside jokes, coworker names, whatever your group finds funny. Add your own words and play them.