Frequently asked questions
How does the numbers solver work?
The numbers solver tries valid combinations of the selected numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and exact division, then ranks matching or near-matching answers so cleaner solutions appear first. Read the full explanation.
How does the letters solver work?
The letters solver checks which dictionary words can be made from the selected letters without reusing a tile, then sorts the results so the longest and more common words are easier to find. Read the full explanation.
What dictionary does this site use?
The site uses a custom wordlist based on 12dicts 2of4brif, with site-specific additions and removals. It is not the Oxford English Dictionary used by the TV show. Read about the wordlist.
What letter frequencies does this site use?
The letters practice game and daily letters puzzle use separate shuffled vowel and consonant stacks, with common letters like E, R, S, and T appearing more often. Read the letter frequency guide.
How are Countdown numbers selected?
The numbers game draws from the four large numbers and two copies of each small number from 1 to 10. The random and daily modes choose the number of large numbers uniformly from 0 to 4, then choose a target uniformly from 101 to 999. Read the number probabilities guide.
What are the easiest and hardest numbers games?
Some numbers rounds are solved immediately, while others require awkward intermediate steps or have no exact answer at all. I ran an exhaustive analysis of number selections to look for the easiest, hardest, and most solvable games. Read the full post.
How is Countdown scored?
Letters rounds reward longer valid words, numbers rounds reward getting close to the target, and the conundrum is scored separately. Read the scoring guide.
What is the Countdown numbers game?
In the numbers game, players combine six chosen numbers to get as close as possible to a target using basic arithmetic. Read the numbers game guide.
What is the Countdown letters game?
In the letters game, players choose vowels and consonants, then try to make the longest valid word from the nine letters. Read the letters game guide.
What is a Countdown conundrum?
The conundrum is a nine-letter anagram with one hidden answer, usually played as a fast buzzer round. Read the conundrum guide.
How does the conundrum generator work?
The practice game builds conundrums dynamically by combining a 4-letter word and a 5-letter word, then checking whether their letters make a unique 9-letter answer that is not too close to the visible scramble. Read the full explanation.
Can I play Countdown over Zoom?
Yes. You can run letters, numbers, and conundrum rounds over a video call with one person sharing the screen and keeping time. Read the Zoom guide.
Can I print a Countdown scoresheet?
Yes. There is a printable scoresheet for playing a full 15-round game with friends, family, or a class. Download the scoresheet.
What is Dictionary Corner?
Dictionary Corner is the part of Countdown that checks and discusses words from the letters round. Read about Dictionary Corner.