# Codenames

Codenames is a board game for 2–8 players. It plays in 15 minutes and is meant for ages 10 and up. Ludoya players call it best with 6. It is rated 7.1 out of 10 by 316 Ludoya reviewers. The cheapest copy in stock is $19.95 (United States).

- **Players:** 2–8 (best with 6)
- **Playing time:** 15 minutes
- **Minimum age:** 10+
- **Complexity:** 1.3 out of 5
- **Year published:** 2015
- **Categories:** Card Game, Word Game, Spies / Secret Agents, Party Game, Deduction
- **Mechanics:** Race, Team-Based Game, Deduction, Memory, Communication Limits
- **Ludoya rating:** 7.1 out of 10, from 316 reviews
- **Owned by:** 816 Ludoya players
- **Plays logged on Ludoya:** 4,813
- **Unique players:** 2,648

**Designers:** Vlaada Chvátil

**Artists:** Vlaada Chvátil, Tomáš Kučerovský, František Sedláček, Dávid Jablonovský, Stéphane Gantiez, Filip Murmak

**Publishers:** Czech Games Edition

## Where to buy in United States

| Shop | Price | Link |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Atomic Empire | 19.95 $ | https://www.atomicempire.com/Item/184136 |
| Miniature Market | 24.99 $ | https://www.miniaturemarket.com/codenames-second-edition-cge00125.html |
| Cardhaus Games | 24.99 $ | https://www.cardhaus.com/codenames-revised-edition/ |
| Board Game Bliss | 24.95 $ | https://www.boardgamebliss.com/products/codenames-1 |
| Element Games | 17.99 £ | https://elementgames.co.uk/board-games/codenames-2025 |
| Rampi Games | 22.5 € | https://www.rampigames.com/juego-de-mesa/codigo-secreto/ |
| Mathom | 24.3 € | https://mathom.es/es/codigo-secreto/36611-codi-secret-8436017223705.html |
| World of Board Games | 159 kr | https://www.worldofboardgames.com/uno-harry-potter |
| Good Games | 23.98 $ | https://www.goodgames.com.au/products/codenames |
| Gamers@Hart | 13 £ | https://gamersathart.co.uk/product/codenames-2025/ |
| Spelexperten | 199 kr | https://www.spelexperten.com/sallskapsspel/festspel/codenames-swe.html |
| Svet deskovych her | 450 Kč | https://www.svet-deskovych-her.cz/produkty/15151/codenames-2025 |
| Zatu Games | 15.95 £ | https://zatu.com/products/codenames |
| Games Empire | 31.99 $ | https://gamesempire.com.au/products/codenames-2025 |
| Uplay | 19.99 € | https://www.uplay.it/it/gioco-da-tavolo-codenames--2025-.html |
| El Nucli | 20 € | https://www.elnucli.es/products/codi-secret |
| Gameology | 33.45 $ | https://www.gameology.com.au/products/codenames-2025-refresh |
| Alphaspel | 239 kr | https://alphaspel.se/491-bradspel/61370-codenames-se |
| Reflexshop | 7730 Ft | https://reflexshop.hu/czech-games-fedonevek-tarsasjatek-magyar-kiadas |
| Ludifolie | 21.9 € | https://www.ludifolie.com/3848-codenames.html |
| Fantasiapelit | 21.9 € | https://www.fantasiapelit.com/index.php?main=ai&kat=single&mista=indeksi&etsittava=_236971 |
| Poromagia | 21.95 € | https://lautapelit.poromagia.com/fi/catalogue/codenames_111862/ |
| Va de jocs | 22.5 € | https://vadejocs.es/producto/c%ef%bf%bddigo-secreto |
| Spilforsyningen | 179.95 kr | https://spilforsyningen.dk/products/codenames-dansk |
| Zacatrus | 24.29 € | https://zacatrus.es/codigo-secreto.html |
| La Gameria | 24.5 € | https://gameria.es/juegos-de-mesa/codigo-secreto-182.html |
| Guf | 39.99 $ | https://guf.com.au/products/codenames-2025 |
| Cogs Toys and Games | 24.95 € | https://www.cogstoysandgames.ie/products/codenames |
| Jugar x Jugar | 25 € | https://www.jugarxjugar.com/shop/familiares/3275-codenames-8594156311254.html |
| Snafu Store | 25 € | https://snafustore.com/product/codi-secret/ |
| Homoludicus Granollers | 27 € | https://homoludicus-granollers.org/codi-secret |
| Game Ninja | 299 kr | https://www.gameninja.no/produkt/codenames-no/ |
| Nexus | 3995 kr | https://nexus.is/vara/codenames/ |
| Hyggeonkel | 269.95 kr | https://www.hyggeonkel.dk/produkt/codenames-xxl-34326 |

## Expansions

- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Board Gaming (English)](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-board-gaming-english)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – CGE Games](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-cge-games)
- [Codenames: Authors & Games](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-authors-and-games)
- [Deutscher Spielepreis 2016 Goodie Box](https://www.ludoya.com/games/deutscher-spielepreis-2016-goodie-box)
- [Brettspiel Adventskalender 2018](https://www.ludoya.com/games/brettspiel-adventskalender-2018)
- [Tajniacy: Nowi Agenci](https://www.ludoya.com/games/tajniacy-nowi-agenci)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Through the Ages](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-through-the-ages)
- [Tajniacy: Sami Nieswoi](https://www.ludoya.com/games/tajniacy-sami-nieswoi)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Board Gaming (German)](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-board-gaming-german)
- [Tajniacy: Obcy Agenci](https://www.ludoya.com/games/tajniacy-obcy-agenci)
- [Codenames: Sci-Fi Expansion Pack](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-sci-fi-expansion-pack)
- [Codenames: Fairy Tales Expansion Pack](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-fairy-tales-expansion-pack)
- [Codenames: Bonuskaarten 2016](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonuskaarten-2016)
- [Tajniacy: Fantastyczne Światy](https://www.ludoya.com/games/tajniacy-fantastyczne-swiaty)
- [Codenames: Mini-Erweiterung – Weihnachten](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-weihnachten)
- [Codenames: Bonuskaarten 2018](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonuskaarten-2018)
- [Codenames: Cartes promo – Personnalités](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-cartes-promo-personnalites)
- [Nome in Codice: Carte Bonus da Torneo](https://www.ludoya.com/games/nome-in-codice-carte-bonus-da-torneo)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Literatur](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-literatur)
- [Codenames: Bonuskaarten 2019](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonuskaarten-2019)
- [Codenames: Cartes promo – Univers Geek](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-cartes-promo-univers-geek)
- [Codenames: Bonuskaarten 2020](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonuskaarten-2020)
- [Tajniacy: Agenci na kwarantannie](https://www.ludoya.com/games/tajniacy-agenci-na-kwarantannie)
- [Código secreto: Expansión promocional Andalucía](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansion-promocional-andalucia)
- [Fedőnevek: Magyar bónusz csomag](https://www.ludoya.com/games/fedonevek-magyar-bonusz-csomag)
- [Nome in Codice: Carte Bonus Comics and Games 2016](https://www.ludoya.com/games/nome-in-codice-carte-bonus-comics-and-games-2016)
- [Código Secreto: Expansión promocional Argentina](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansion-promocional-argentina)
- [Codenames: 10 jarig Jubileum bonus set 2020 NL](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-10-jarig-jubileum-bonus-set-2020-nl)
- [Código Secreto: Expansión Promocional México](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansion-promocional-mexico)
- [Código Secreto: Expansão promocional Portugal](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansao-promocional-portugal)
- [Código Secreto: Expansión promocional Américas](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansion-promocional-americas)
- [Código Secreto: Expansión promocional Chile](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansion-promocional-chile)
- [Código Secreto: Expansão promocional Brasil](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codigo-secreto-expansao-promocional-brasil)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Schweiz](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-schweiz)
- [코드네임: 미니획장1 – 합성어 동물 (Codenames: Mini-Expansion 1 – Compound Animals](https://www.ludoya.com/games/1-codenames-mini-expansion-1-compound-animals)
- [Codenames: Bonus Pack – Webhallen](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-bonus-pack-webhallen)
- [Codenames: Brazil Promotional Expansion](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-brazil-promotional-expansion)
- [コードネーム　ボーナスパック　COOL JAPAN (Codenames: Bonus Pack – COOL JAPAN)](https://www.ludoya.com/games/cool-japan-codenames-bonus-pack-cool-japan)
- [コードネーム　ボーナスパック　JAPAN2020 (Codenames: Bonus Pack 2 – Japan 2020)](https://www.ludoya.com/games/japan2020-codenames-bonus-pack-2-japan-2020)
- [Krycí jména: Bonusové karty – 10 let MINDOK](https://www.ludoya.com/games/kryci-jmena-bonusove-karty-10-let-mindok)
- [Krycí jména: Bonusové karty – Vánoce](https://www.ludoya.com/games/kryci-jmena-bonusove-karty-vanoce)

## Similar games

- [Codenames: Pictures](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-pictures)
- [Codenames: Duet](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames-duet)
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## Rules questions

### Can the spymaster give more than one word or add hints (like "this is a stretch") when giving a clue?

No — the clue must be a single word and you may not give extra hints or comments; also a clue cannot be any codename currently visible on the table (pages 4, 6).

### Can I say part of a compound word on the table (e.g., say "horse" when HORSESHOE is still showing)?

By the standard rules you may not use part of a visible compound word (so you can't say "horse" while HORSESHOE is uncovered), though groups can agree to be more permissive in play (pages 6–7).

### How many guesses do our operatives get for a clue — can we take an extra guess?

Operatives must make at least one guess and may guess up to the number the spymaster gave, plus one extra guess; any wrong guess ends the turn immediately (pages 4–5).

### What happens if someone touches the assassin card?

If a field operative touches the assassin the assassin card is revealed and that team immediately loses the game (pages 4–5).

### Can I use homonyms, spellings, letters or numbers as clues (for example, say "knight" for NIGHT, or "b: 3" to mean three words that start with B)?

Homophones are treated as different words so a spoken homonym clue for a differently spelled codename is not allowed unless you spell the word out (e.g., k‑n‑i‑g‑h‑t) and groups may opt for looser homonym rules; letters and numbers are permitted only when they refer to meanings (e.g., X for X‑ray), and you may not use the number you speak as part of the clue nor use a letter as a simple initial-letter hint like "b: 3" (pages 6–7).

## Links

- [This page](https://www.ludoya.com/games/codenames)
- [Codenames in the Ludoya app](https://app.ludoya.com/g/codenames)
- [BoardGameGeek entry](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/178900)

_Data from Ludoya, updated 2026-09-19. Ratings, ownership and play counts are Ludoya's own._