What it does
This page has two tools in one. The game picks a random hangman word and you guess letters with the on-screen keyboard or your own keyboard. You have six wrong guesses before the figure is complete.
Below the game, the hangman word generator makes a list of words by difficulty, for when you'd rather play with paper and a pencil.
How to use it
- Choose a difficulty. Easy, medium or hard. Difficulty is based on the length of the word and how common it is.
- Guess letters. Tap letters on the on-screen keyboard or type them. Right letters fill in the blanks; wrong ones add a part to the figure.
- Win or lose. Fill every blank before your sixth wrong guess to win. Then press New word for another round.
- Play with two people. Switch to two-player mode. One person types a secret word, and the other tries to guess it.
- Make a list for paper hangman. Use the word list generator, choose a difficulty and press Copy all to take the whole list with you.
How to play hangman
Hangman is a classic guessing game for two or more players.
- One player picks a word and draws a short line for each letter.
- The others guess one letter at a time.
- A right guess is written in every blank where that letter appears.
- A wrong guess adds one part to the figure. Write the letter to one side so nobody guesses it twice.
- The guessers win if they finish the word before the figure is complete. Our game allows six wrong guesses; on paper, agree on a number before you start.
If you want to be kind to younger players, tell them the category of the word before they start guessing.
Ways to use hangman words
Spelling practice
Hangman makes children think about which letters belong in a word. Easy mode keeps the words familiar.
Classroom game
Draw the blanks for a word from the list on the board and let the class guess letters together. Copy a whole list before the lesson so you're ready.
A quick break
A round takes a minute or two. It's a nice pause between tasks or homework.
Two players at home
One person types a secret word, hands over the phone, and the other guesses. Then swap.
Vocabulary for learners
Hard words are less common, so they're a good way to meet new English words. Look up any you don't know after the round.
Tips
- Start with vowels. Nearly every English word has at least one, so they're a safe first guess.
- Then try common consonants such as T, N, S, R and L.
- Don't trust short words. They give you fewer clues, so they can be harder than long ones.
- In two-player mode, pick a real word and check the spelling before you hand it over.
- More word games: the word scramble generator makes printable puzzles, and the charades generator is great for groups.
Questions
What makes a good hangman word?
Words with uncommon letters, few vowels and few repeated letters are the hardest to guess. For children, short and familiar words keep the game fun.
Is there a hangman word generator for paper games?
Yes. The word list below the game makes a list by difficulty. Press Copy all, then print it or write the words down.
Can I use a random word generator for hangman?
Yes, and this page is one built for the game. If you want more control, such as a set length or first letter, use the random word generator and pick a word from the batch.
How many wrong guesses do you get?
Six. Each wrong letter adds one part to the figure, and the sixth one completes it.
Can I play hangman with a friend?
Yes. Choose two-player mode: one person types a secret word and the other tries to guess it.
Can I use my computer keyboard?
Yes. Type letters on your keyboard or tap the on-screen keys – both work.
Are the hangman words family-friendly?
Yes. Offensive words are left out of every word list on the site, so the game is safe for kids.
Last updated October 2, 2026