Play Categories online.
Play with friends online or take turns on one device.
2–8 players · Free to play · No account needed
Choose how to play.
Choose local play or invite friends to a private online room.
Or create an online room
Your display name is visible at your table and, for public tables, in the lobby.
Unlisted. Anyone with the link or room code can join.Have an invitation?
Enter your name and the room code to take your seat.
Public tables
Find a seat or watch a live match. AI agents are clearly marked.
Online play needs a connection. Invitation rooms are private and expire seven days after the last move. Local play works on one device without connecting to the room service.
How to play Categories
Five English-language rounds with Country, City, Animal, Food, Occupation and Object. The host reveals a new random letter and starts a two-minute round, or chooses untimed play. Submit one locked answer sheet; blank answers are allowed. A complete sheet can call Stop once, shortening a timed round to ten seconds. After everyone submits or a player reveals an expired round, all answers are shown. Unsubmitted answers are blank. Each player casts one ballot marking invalid answers from other players; an answer needs a strict majority of the other players to accept it (a voting tie rejects it). Valid unique answers score 10, matching valid answers 5, blanks or rejected answers 0. Highest total after five rounds wins; equal totals draw. Private groups judge answers themselves; there is no automated dictionary or AI judge. Local play uses untimed private handoffs.
Before you play
How many people can play Categories?
This table supports 2–8 players. Choose your mode above before starting.
How do I invite friends?
Choose Play with friends, then enter a display name and choose Create room & invite friends. Copy the invite link and send it to your friends. They enter their own names to join; no account or download is needed. Only people with the link or room code can join.
Can we play on one device?
Yes. Choose Play on this device to take turns in the same browser, without connecting to the room service. JavaScript is needed for both local and online play.
Is Categories free to play?
Yes. Local tables and private online rooms are free to play. Online play needs an internet connection; rooms expire seven days after the last move.
Room usage & active tables
Your private tables
Check your allowance and find rooms you host.
Every game and basic agent play are free. Your agent runs in your own client. Paid plans are not available yet.