Categories Word Game

How to Play Categories

Step 1: Choose Your Grid Format

Pick from 3x3, 4x4, or 5x5 grids to start the game. The bigger the board, the more categories to uncover—and the tougher the challenge.

Step 2: Scan the Words and Start Connecting

Study the word list and select words that seem related. Don't forget the starting letters, too. Think in categories—are there words that represent countries, services, colors, emotions, or items that start with the same letter?

Step 3: Submit Your Group

Once you've selected a group of words that you believe belong to the same category or list, tap Submit. If you're right, they'll be cleared from the board and counted toward your total points.

Step 4: Need Help? Use a Hint

If you're stuck, use the Reveal button to solve one of the categories automatically. It's a helpful tool to move forward when you're out of ideas or running low on guesses.

Step 5: Finish with Finesse

Each grid format gives you a limited number of attempts to sort from the list. Try to solve all categories with the fewest mistakes possible and show off your word mastery!

Tips for Mastering the Game

• Recognize Word Families: Group together words from the list that share the same root or structure (e.g., "happy," "happiness," "unhappy"). The answers lie in its connection.

• Think in Context: Use real-world knowledge and examples from articles, daily life, definition, dictionaries, and common ties to guide your thinking.

• Common Themes: Many categories are based on things such as animals, foods, occupations, or even tech terms. Use logic and creativity! The answers are simple.

• Process of Elimination: Remove words that clearly don't fit, narrowing down possible groupings. If they appear not to fit, they don't.

• Play with Friends: Get others involved to think of different angles—you'll discover new categories together. Team up to enjoy!

• Learn as You Go: Each round helps you learn new words and meanings, making the Game a fun way to build vocabulary.

This game is operated by The Article 19 Group Inc. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.

About Categories Game

This is the ultimate word puzzle that challenges your brain to find hidden categories among a sea of words. Designed for players of all ages, this game combines creativity, logic, and vocabulary skills in a fast-paced, addictive format.

Whether you're looking to pass the time or sharpen your mind, this game offers an entertaining and educational experience for everyone. Each round presents a word grid filled with seemingly random terms, but don't be fooled. Hidden inside are sets of words that belong together based on shared categories.

Choose your preferred difficulty level:

• 3x3 Grid (9 words): Quick and casual. Find three categories of 3 words each.

• 4x4 Grid (16 words): A balanced brain teaser. Discover four categories of 4 related words.

• 5x5 Grid (25 words): The ultimate challenge. Uncover five categories of 5 interconnected words.

Inspired by classics like Scattergories, Categories is a content-based word puzzle built around recognizing patterns, spotting connections, and building mental associations. It's an excellent activity for game nights, classroom learning, or casual solo play.

Why You'll Love It

In a way, this game is genius in its simplicity. A game that is suitable for all ages. It's a word-based puzzle system that's endlessly replayable and always fresh. Players love this puzzle since they can score more points when they try to form different groups of words. With rotating gameplay, constant changes, and a growing bank of categories, no two rounds are ever the same. Whether you're here for casual fun or serious brain training, this game is an excellent use of your time.

Perfect for educational use, vocabulary development, or party night entertainment, Categories include everything you need: engaging content, helpful resources, smart management of difficulty, and built-in editing to keep things fresh.

Ready to dive in? Choose your grid, make your connections, and conquer the categories—one brilliant round at a time!

Ready for more word puzzles?

Ready to flex those brain muscles again? Let's dive into more puzzles!

Explore Arkadium's curated selection of free online games today. Fans of the Categories online game may also enjoy:

• Hurdle

• Outspell

• Sudoku

• The Daily Crossword

Start your day with a burst of brain-teasing puzzles with Categories. Put your brain to the test with puzzle grids of three, four, or even five words that all share a hidden connection. It's up to you to find the link—whether it's book titles, country names, or clever wordplay like palindromes and homophones. With endless category combos, every puzzle is a fresh challenge!

With hundreds of custom levels to play, the entertainment never ends.

Fast, fun, and brainy—Categories is your next puzzle obsession.

Are you ready to connect the dots? Enjoy endless word-sorting fun to compete with your family or friends in this online word game. Start solving in seconds! Categories works seamlessly on all your devices.

This game is operated by The Article 19 Group Inc. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.