Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about CODEBREAK. For the full rules, see how to play, and for tactics read the strategy guide.
What is DailyClue?
DailyClue is a free website with three daily puzzles: Five Letters, Word Ladder and CodeBreak. You can play each of them once a day, and every player gets the same puzzles on the same day.
Can I play more than one game a day?
You can play all three games every day, but each game only once. When you finish a game it stays finished until the next puzzles arrive at midnight IST. Your progress is stored on your device, so clearing your browser data resets it.
What is CODEBREAK?
CODEBREAK is a free daily code-breaking puzzle. You have eight tries to find a hidden four-digit code, using green and yellow circles as clues. It is based on the traditional game Bulls and Cows.
How many guesses do I get?
Eight. If you have not found the code after your eighth guess, the game ends and the code is shown in the statistics window.
Can the code start with 0?
No. The first digit of the code is never 0, and the game will not accept a guess that starts with 0. A 0 can appear anywhere else.
Can digits repeat?
No. All four digits in the code are different, and your guesses must follow the same rule.
What do the green and yellow circles mean?
Green counts digits that are correct and in the right place. Yellow counts digits that are in the code but in a different place. A grey 0 means none of that kind. The clues do not say which digits earned them.
Does a rejected guess use up a try?
No. A guess with repeated digits, a leading 0 or one you already tried is refused without costing you anything.
When do new puzzles arrive?
At midnight India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30) for everyone, wherever you are. The statistics window shows a countdown.
Is everyone’s code the same?
Yes. Every player gets the same code on the same calendar day, so you can compare how you did.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, on your own device. The game uses your browser’s local storage for your guesses, statistics and theme. Nothing is synced between devices, and clearing your browser data resets it. See the Cookie Policy for details.
Why did my streak go back to zero?
A streak counts consecutive Indian days on which you completed a game, win or loss. It resets after a day on which you did not finish a game. Opening a game without finishing it does not count.
Can I play earlier puzzles?
No. There is one puzzle a day and it is not archived.
How do I share my result?
Use the Share button in the statistics window. It copies or shares a short summary of your guesses that does not reveal the code.
Do I need an account?
No. There are no accounts, sign-ups or passwords.
Is it free?
Yes. The site may show advertising to cover its costs. See the Privacy Policy for how that works.
How is this different from Mastermind?
Mastermind uses coloured pegs and its rules usually allow repeated colours. CODEBREAK uses digits, never repeats a digit within a code, and gives a single new puzzle each day. The two games share the same basic idea of scored guesses, and you can read more in our history of Bulls and Cows.
Does DailyClue work offline?
No. DailyClue can be installed to your home screen where your browser supports it, but it needs an internet connection and does not work offline.
Is the game accessible?
You can play entirely with a keyboard, the guess rows carry screen-reader labels and there are light and dark themes. If something is hard to use, please tell us through the contact page.
I found a bug. What should I do?
Please let us know which device and browser you use and what happened, using the contact page.