# Categories Game > Play the classic categories word game online: a random letter, a list of categories, and a timer — on one screen with a scoreboard or on everyone's phone with a game code — plus a random category generator with 700+ original categories. - Page: https://linguaholic.com/games/categories-game/ - Type: free browser game, no sign-up, runs in the browser - Publisher: Linguaholic (https://linguaholic.com/), made by Marcel Iseli - Last updated: October 2, 2026 - Open it pre-filled: https://linguaholic.com/games/categories-game/?count=12&timer=120&kids=1 - `mode`: screen (one screen), phones (everyone's phone), join (join a game), generator (category generator) (for example `generator`) - `count`: categories per round: 6, 8, 10 or 12 (for example `12`) - `timer`: timer in seconds: 0 (no timer), 60, 90, 120, 180 or 240 (for example `120`) - `kids`: 1 = kid-friendly categories only (for example `1`) - `code`: a game code made by 'Create game code'; opens Join a game with the code filled in (for example `0C1-S5Z-WW8`) ## How to play the categories game The **categories game** is a classic word game for 2 or more players. Each round has a random letter and a list of categories — and everyone races to think of one answer for each category that starts with that letter. 1. Choose your settings and tap **Start game**: a random letter and a list of categories appear. 2. Start the timer. Everyone writes one answer per category, starting with the letter — for example, with the letter **B**: “Things in a kitchen” → *blender*, “Animals” → *badger*. 3. When time is up, take turns reading your answers aloud. 4. Score **1 point for every answer nobody else wrote**. If two players wrote the same answer, neither scores. Play more rounds — the player with the most points wins. ## Three ways to play online - **One screen** — put the letter, the list, and the timer on a TV, laptop, or tablet; everyone writes on paper. Keep score with the built-in scoreboard, and print answer sheets if you like. - **Everyone’s phone** — create a game code and share it. Every phone shows the same letter and categories, players type their answers (the game checks they start with the right letter), then score their own round. - **Category generator** — just need a list? Generate random categories for any word game, classroom activity, or icebreaker. ## Frequently asked questions **How do you play the categories game?** Each round has a random letter and a list of categories. Start the timer and write one answer for each category that starts with the letter — for example B: Things in a kitchen → blender. When time is up, read your answers aloud: every answer nobody else wrote scores 1 point. Play several rounds; the most points wins. **Can we play on different phones?** Yes. Choose Everyone's phone and create a game code. Everyone opens this page, taps Join a game, and enters the code — every phone gets the same letter, categories, and timer each round, and players type their answers on their own phone. **How many categories are there?** More than 700 original categories in 10 packs: everyday life, food and drink, animals and nature, places and travel, movies/music/games, people and jobs, school and words, holidays and seasons, kids, and funny and creative ones. Categories don't repeat until you've played through the pool. **Which letters are left out?** By default the game skips Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z, because very few words start with them. You can turn this off in the settings. Letters don't repeat until every letter has been used. **Is there a random category generator?** Yes — choose Category generator to get 5 to 50 random categories from any packs, for word games, classroom activities, or icebreakers, with no repeats. **Is it good for kids and classrooms?** Yes. Tick Kid-friendly categories only for younger players, use the one-screen mode on a classroom display, and print answer sheets. It's great for vocabulary and spelling practice. **What is the categories game also called?** Versions of it are known as Stop, Stop the Bus, Name Place Animal Thing, Tutti Frutti, Stadt Land Fluss, Petit Bac, and Basta. **Is it free?** Yes — free with no sign-up and no app. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent anywhere. ## Related tools - [Imposter Game Word Generator](https://linguaholic.com/tools/imposter-game-word-generator/): Generate random secret words for the Imposter game — more than 3,000 hand-picked words in 24 categories, from animals and food to funny, movies, and hard mode, each with a related hint word for the imposter — plus the complete word list. - [Hangman](https://linguaholic.com/games/hangman/): Play the classic word-guessing game in your browser: tens of thousands of family-friendly dictionary words from easy to expert, 48 categories, famous phrases, a 2-player secret-word mode, hints, and a score streak. - [Binary Game](https://linguaholic.com/games/binary-game/): Learn binary by playing: flip bit cards to make a number, read and write binary, race a 60-second challenge and build streaks, across five levels from 4 to 8 bits. - [Never Have I Ever](https://linguaholic.com/games/never-have-i-ever/): Play Never Have I Ever online with more than 1,000 original, clean statements in 13 categories — funny, friends, teens, kids and family, travel, food, juicy but clean, and more — with a group fingers game and a solo score. - [Truth or Dare](https://linguaholic.com/games/truth-or-dare/): Play Truth or Dare online with more than 1,000 original truths and dares — for couples, friends, adults, teens, kids, families, crushes, sleepovers, work, and over text — with player turns, random spins, and the full list to browse. - [Would You Rather](https://linguaholic.com/games/would-you-rather/): Play Would You Rather online: more than 1,100 original, family-friendly questions in 26 categories — funny, hard, weird, for couples, teens, kids, the classroom, gaming, work, holidays and more — with group voting on one phone, or browse the full list.