Game guide · SXSMQZJ
Rules, controls and help for Mastermind
Take a moment to check the current turn. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. The game area remains available above the explanation. The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Four positions, six colours and ten guesses, with repeated colours allowed. This is an independently coded free colour-code puzzle, not an official branded edition.
Take a closer look while playing
Take a moment to check the current turn. Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The challenge in front of you
Take a moment to check the current turn. Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
From the start of a round
- The computer chooses four positions from six colours; repeated colours are allowed.
- Select a code position and then choose a colour. Fill all four positions.
- Check guess records your attempt. Exact means correct colour and position; misplaced means correct colour in another position.
- Each secret peg can match only one guess peg. Use the feedback to narrow the next guess.
- Find all four exact positions to win. After ten unsuccessful guesses the secret code is revealed.
How your actions work
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Tap one of four positions, then a labelled colour button. Numbers identify colours as well as the swatches. Press Check guess only when all slots are filled. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Learn from a sample situation
Read the position before choosing your next action. For secret 1,1,2,2 and guess 1,2,1,3, feedback is one exact and two misplaced. The extra 3 has no match. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Pay attention to this rule
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Four misplaced matches do not mean four exact positions. Also, repeated colours must not be counted more times than they appear in the secret.
A few questions answered
When I start, what is the aim of Mastermind?
Deduce a hidden four-colour code within ten guesses, using exact and misplaced feedback. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Tap one of four positions, then a labelled colour button. Numbers identify colours as well as the swatches. Press Check guess only when all slots are filled. No download or player account is required.
Can you show an example?
For secret 1,1,2,2 and guess 1,2,1,3, feedback is one exact and two misplaced. The extra 3 has no match. No download or player account is required.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
Four misplaced matches do not mean four exact positions. Also, repeated colours must not be counted more times than they appear in the secret. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, what rules and limits are used here?
Four positions, six colours and ten guesses, with repeated colours allowed. This is an independently coded free colour-code puzzle, not an official branded edition. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, can the secret repeat a colour?
Yes. Any of the six colours can appear more than once. A new round resets the current game.
What does misplaced mean?
The guessed colour appears in the secret but not at that position, after exact matches have been accounted for. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, are colour numbers part of the rules?
They are labels for accessibility; the number and its colour refer to the same peg choice. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, can I see the answer?
The answer is shown when you solve the code or use all ten guesses. The controls work with mouse or touch.