Imposter Game: find who doesn’t know the word
3–20 players · One shared phone · Replay freely
Find who has the wrong word
Everyone gets the secret word except the imposter. Pass one phone around, give clues, then vote out the player who is bluffing.
The Imposter Game is a word and bluffing party game for three to twenty people sharing one phone. Everyone gets the same secret word except the imposter, who gets nothing or only a loose hint. Players take turns giving short clues, then the group votes on who they think is faking it. This version runs entirely in your browser: pass the phone around, reveal one card at a time, and play as many rounds as you like.
How to play the Imposter Game
- Enter everyone’s name, pick how many imposters to use and choose one of 13 categories, such as Animals, Food or Jobs.
- Pass the phone. Each player taps Reveal my word, reads their card in private, taps Hide and hands the phone on. Crewmates see the secret word; imposters learn that they are the imposter.
- The game picks who speaks first. Go around the circle, each person saying one word or short phrase connected to the secret word.
- Talk it over, with an optional timer of one to ten minutes, then vote for the player or players you suspect.
- Reveal the result. Crewmates win only if the vote names every imposter and nobody else; otherwise the imposters win.
Rule variants
Turn on Imposter gets a hint for younger players or new groups: the imposter sees a loosely related word, which makes bluffing easier. Leave it off for a harder round where the imposter must listen closely and guess. With six or more players you can add a second imposter, and with nine or more a third. Some groups play two clue rounds before voting, or let a caught imposter steal the win by naming the secret word. Agree on house rules before the first round.
Tips for crewmates
- Give clues that prove you know the word without handing it to the imposter. If the word is zebra, “stripes” is too easy and “animal” is too vague; “safari” sits in between.
- Watch for players who wait to speak last, echo an earlier clue or say something that would fit the whole category.
- Don’t rush the vote. A nervous crewmate can look just as guilty as a real imposter.
Tips for imposters
- Listen to the first few clues before you commit to anything.
- Choose clues that are broad but confident, and agree with reasoning that sounds right.
- Treat your hint as a starting point, not as your clue. Saying it outright can give you away.
Classroom and party use
Teachers can run the game as a quick vocabulary warm-up: choose the School or Nature and Weather category, explain the rules, and pass a tablet around small groups. Every word list is family-friendly and written for this game. At parties it needs nothing beyond one charged phone, and it suits car rides, sleepovers and family dinners too. Player names are saved only on your device, nothing needs installing, and no account is required.
How to play Imposter
- Enter 3 to 20 player names, then choose the number of imposters, a category, the hint option and an optional discussion timer.
- Pass the phone: each player taps Reveal my word in private, reads their card, taps Hide and hands the phone on.
- Give one clue each, vote for the imposter, then reveal who it was and play again with the same players.
How many players do you need for the Imposter Game?
At least three and up to twenty, all sharing one phone, tablet or computer. You can use one imposter with three to five players, up to two from six players and up to three from nine players.
Does it work offline on one phone?
Yes. One device is all you need: each player reveals their card in private and passes it on. Once you press Start playing, every round runs in your browser, so a weak signal will not interrupt the game. Player names are saved on that device only.
Is it free, and do I need an app?
It is free, with no app, download or account. Open this page in any modern browser and start a round.
How do the imposters win?
The imposters win if the vote misses any imposter or names an innocent player. The crewmates win only when the vote names every imposter and nobody else.