Impostor.

The imposter word game, free in your browser

Impostor is a quick bluffing game for parties, family nights and long car rides. Everyone gets the same secret word, except the impostor. Each player gives one clue, then the group votes on who is faking it.

• 👥 3 or more players
• ⏱️ 5–15 minutes
• 📱 One phone, or one each
• 🆓 Free, no sign-up

You may know it as the imposter game, the word impostor game, "who is the spy" or Undercover. The library has about 1,500 words in 30 categories, from animals and food to countries, brands and festivals. Pick the categories your group knows.

How to play

1. Choose how to play. One phone: add the players' names and pass the phone. Each on own phone: create a room and share the code, link or QR code.
2. See your card. Each player presses and holds the door to peek at their card. Everyone sees the word, except the impostor.
3. Give clues. Go around in the order on screen. Each player says one word or a short clue about the secret word. Not too obvious (the impostor is listening), not too vague (or you look guilty).
4. Play more rounds if you like. The order stays the same until the next word.
5. Vote. Enter each player's vote, or use Group vote when the table agrees on one name. Then reveal.

Rules and scoring

• +1 point for each player who votes for an impostor.
• +2 points for each impostor who is not voted out.
• In Hint mode, a caught impostor gets +2 if they can guess the word.
• The player with the most votes is voted out. A tie means nobody is out.
• Scores add up from game to game until you reset them.

Variants

Hint mode

The impostor knows they are the impostor and sees only a hint. Choose how much help they get: just the category, a weak hint or a strong hint. Strong hints suit new players and kids; the category alone is hard.

Undercover mode

The impostor gets a similar but different word, and does not know they are the impostor. If the word is "coffee", the impostor might get "tea". Everyone's clues sound almost right, which makes this the sneakiest way to play.

More than one impostor

With a bigger group, add impostors with the + button. You can have up to just under half of the players as impostors.

Tips

• As a player: give a clue that only someone who knows the word would get. "Morning" for coffee is good; "brown drink" helps the impostor.
• As the impostor: listen to the clues before yours and stay close to them. A safe, general clue beats a wild guess.
• Watch for players who wait, hesitate or copy an earlier clue.
• Playing online? Turn on a video call so you can see faces. Half the fun is the bluffing.

FAQ

More games

• MafiaThe party game of secret roles, with the app as the narrator.
• SketchOnline draw and guess, each on your own phone.
• Blind TimerStop the clock without seeing it, or pass the timer bomb.
• Dots & BoxesThe pen and paper classic, on one phone.
• MemoryFlip the cards and find the pairs, or try Triples.
• Guide: how to play ImpostorFull rules, scoring, Undercover mode and bluffing tips.
• Guide: party games for one phoneMore ideas for passing one phone around.