What is Wavelength?
Wavelength is a social guessing game where players try to read each other's minds. Each round, one player (the Psychic) sees a hidden target on a spectrum between two opposing concepts, like "Hot" vs "Cold" or "Underrated" vs "Overrated." The Psychic gives a single clue, and everyone else tries to guess where the target is on that spectrum.
It is simple to learn, endlessly replayable, and works with any group size from 2 to 12 players. No app downloads or accounts required. Just open the link, share a game code, and start playing in your browser.
Quick Start
You can go from zero to playing in under a minute. Here is how:
Create a Game
Visit the homepage and tap "Create Game." Choose your settings: game mode, number of rounds, input mode, and prompt packs. You will get a unique 4-letter game code.
Share the Code
Send the game code to your friends. They can join by entering the code on the homepage or by opening the direct link. No sign-up needed.
Play
Once everyone has joined, the host starts the game. The Psychic gives a clue, the guessers make their picks, and points are awarded. Roles rotate each round so everyone gets a turn.
The Two Roles
Every round, players take on one of two roles. Roles rotate automatically so everyone gets to experience both sides.
The Psychic
The Psychic sees the spectrum with its two labels and, most importantly, the hidden target position. Their job is to come up with a single clue (a word, phrase, or name) that communicates where the target sits on the spectrum. The better the clue, the closer the guessers will land.
The Guesser
Guessers see the spectrum labels and the Psychic's clue, but not the target. Based on the clue, they decide where they think the target is and place their guess on the spectrum. Each guesser submits independently. The closer to the target, the more points earned.
The Spectrum
Each round features a spectrum defined by two opposing labels at either end. For example, "Bad Movie" on the left and "Good Movie" on the right, or "Boring" vs "Exciting." The hidden target is placed somewhere along this spectrum at a random position.
The target could be anywhere: far left, dead center, slightly right, or at an extreme. The Psychic sees exactly where it is. Guessers only see the two labels and must use the Psychic's clue to figure out the target's position.
For example, if the spectrum is "Bad Movie" to "Good Movie" and the target is about 75% toward "Good Movie," the Psychic might give the clue "Jurassic Park." A movie most people consider good, but not a masterpiece. That tells guessers to aim well to the right, but not all the way.
How a Round Works
Each round follows the same five steps:
Spectrum and Target Revealed to the Psychic
A random spectrum appears with its two labels. The Psychic sees the hidden target position on this spectrum. Guessers see only the labels.
Psychic Gives a Clue
The Psychic types a single clue: a word, name, or short phrase. The clue should help guessers understand where the target falls on the spectrum. Creativity counts.
Guessers Place Their Guesses
Each guesser independently chooses a position on the spectrum. Depending on the input mode, they either drag a needle on a semicircular dial or pick a number from 1 to 20. Everyone submits before results are shown.
Target Revealed
The hidden target position is shown to everyone. All guesses are displayed on the spectrum so everyone can see how close each person got.
Points Awarded
Points are calculated based on how close each guess is to the target. The Psychic earns the average of all guesser scores, so a good clue benefits everyone.
Scoring
Points are based on how close your guess is to the hidden target. Scoring differs slightly between the two input modes:
Dial Mode
Number Mode (1-20)
Psychic Scoring
The Psychic does not guess. Instead, they earn a score based on how well the guessers did. A clear, well-targeted clue benefits everyone.
Streak Bonuses
Score 3 or more points in consecutive rounds to build a streak. Streaks multiply your score: the longer your hot streak, the bigger the bonus. Consistency is rewarded, so steady accuracy matters more than one lucky guess.
Game Modes
Wavelength Online offers three game modes to suit different group sizes and play styles:
One Psychic (Classic)
The original Wavelength experience. One player is the Psychic, everyone else guesses. The Psychic role rotates each round. Great for groups of any size. This is the default mode and the best place to start if you are new to the game.
One Guesser
A twist on the classic. Everyone except one player gives clues for the same target, and a single Guesser tries to pinpoint the position using all of those clues. The clue-givers all see the target. The Guesser sees only the clues and the spectrum labels. This mode is great for smaller groups or when you want faster rounds.
Teams
Players split into two teams. Each team takes turns having a Psychic give a clue while the rest of the team guesses. Teams compete to reach the target score first. Great for larger groups (6 or more players) and adds a competitive edge to the game.
Input Modes
You can choose how guessers submit their answers:
Dial
Guessers drag a needle on a semicircular dial to choose their position on the spectrum. This is the more visual, intuitive option. It feels closest to the original board game experience and lets you fine-tune your guess with precision.
Numbers
Guessers pick a number from 1 to 20 instead of using the dial. Number 1 represents the far left of the spectrum, 20 is the far right, and 10 is the center. This mode is quicker and works well on smaller screens or when you want faster-paced rounds.
Tips and Strategy
Wavelength rewards creativity, communication, and knowing your audience. Here are some tips to improve your game:
As the Psychic: Think About Your Audience
Your clue needs to work for the people in your game. A reference that only you understand will not help anyone guess correctly. Pick clues that your group will interpret the same way you do.
As the Psychic: Use Specifics for Extreme Positions
If the target is near one end of the spectrum, use a clue that strongly represents that extreme. Vague or moderate clues will pull guessers toward the center. For a target at 90% toward "Hot," saying "the sun" is better than "a warm day."
As the Psychic: Moderate Clues for Center Targets
When the target is near the middle, pick something that sits between the two extremes. This is often the hardest position to clue for, so choose something that clearly feels "medium" or "balanced."
As a Guesser: Consider the Psychic's Perspective
Think about what the Psychic would mean by their clue, not just what you think. If you know the Psychic well, lean into that. How would they rate this clue on the spectrum? Their personal opinion is what matters, not yours.
As a Guesser: Do Not Overthink It
Your first instinct is often your best one. The Psychic is trying to be clear, not tricky. If a clue obviously feels "pretty far right," it probably is. Trust the straightforward interpretation.
For Everyone: Discuss After Each Round
The best part of Wavelength is the conversation after the reveal. Talk about why the Psychic chose their clue, why guessers went where they did, and where opinions differ. These discussions are what make the game memorable.
Custom Prompts
Wavelength Online comes with a library of built-in spectrum prompts, but you can also create your own. When setting up a game, you can add custom prompts with any two labels you want. Use inside jokes, themed categories, or niche topics that your group cares about.
Custom prompts are saved to your device so you can reuse them in future games. You can also mix your custom prompts with the built-in library for variety. To browse all built-in prompts, visit the prompts page.