How to play with your own words
Prepare a list of words or phrases from your current topic, with each entry on its own line. If you want a clue under the hidden word, add a hint after a spaced dash or a tab.
- Enter your list in Words or phrases (one per line). To paste a prepared list, use Paste a list, then Use this list.
- Set Wrong guesses allowed to allow 3 to 10 wrong guesses. The default is 6.
- Choose a picture under Picture: Balloons or Classic drawing.
- Set Teams for 1 to 4 teams. Under Word order, choose As in the list or Random.
- Select Play, then use Full screen to show only the tool on your projector.
- Choose letters with the on-screen keyboard or type them on your keyboard. Use Next word to move through the list, with teams taking turns word by word.
Choose balloons or the classic drawing
The default picture is Balloons. Each wrong guess pops a balloon, giving you a neutral picture for the letter-guessing game.
The other option is Classic drawing, a drawing with 10 parts. It is complete on the last allowed wrong guess, so the ending follows your chosen guess allowance rather than always requiring 10 mistakes.
Ways to use hangman in class
Choose entries that fit the part of the lesson you want to review. A hint lets you give a definition or topic clue while keeping the answer hidden.
- For a whole-class warm-up, use vocabulary from the current unit. Play through your opening activity, asking the class to suggest letters while you enter them.
- On review day, divide the class into teams and use terms from your study guide. Continue through the prepared list, with each team handling a word on its turn.
- During a small-group activity, use phrases from the topic you are discussing. Let the group suggest letters until the phrase is solved or the allowed wrong guesses run out.
- For a closing review, choose a familiar term and add its definition as a hint. Play that entry, then discuss the revealed answer before ending the lesson.
Common questions
How many wrong guesses are allowed?
You can allow 3 to 10 wrong guesses using Wrong guesses allowed. The default is 6. Each wrong guess changes the picture, and the classic drawing is complete on the last allowed wrong guess.
Can two teams play hangman?
Yes. The tool supports 1 to 4 teams, taking turns word by word rather than switching teams after each letter. A solved word earns the team as many points as it has guesses left; a lost word earns 0.
Do accents count as separate letters?
Accented letters are revealed with their base letter: pressing A reveals á, à, â and ã. The characters ß, œ and æ are visible from the start, along with digits, spaces, hyphens and apostrophes. On Spanish-language pages, Ñ has a separate key.
Can I use phrases instead of single words?
Yes. Enter each complete phrase on its own line in your list. Each word gets its own row of blanks, and spaces are shown, so the class can see how the phrase is divided.
Can I play hangman without the classic drawing?
Yes. Choose Balloons under Picture to use balloons instead. Each wrong guess pops a balloon; this is also the default picture.
Can I save my hangman word list?
Your list is saved only in the current browser, with no account needed. Use Download file to save a JSON file and Open file to load it in another browser. If browser storage is blocked, the tool still works until you close the page and tells you that your work was not saved.