How to Play Chain Reaction
To play Chain Reaction, look at the word on screen and type a new word that starts with the last letter of the one before it. Every valid word scores points and resets the timer; the game ends when time runs out. The longer your words and your chain, the higher your score.
What are the rules of Chain Reaction?
Start with the Given Word
Each game begins with a randomly selected starting word. For Word of the Day, everyone gets the same starting word.
Enter a Word That Starts with the Last Letter
Look at the last letter of the displayed word. Your task is to enter a valid word that begins with this letter.
Beat the Clock
You have a limited time (usually 10 seconds, but it varies by game mode) to enter each word. If the timer runs out, the game ends.
Keep the Chain Going
Continue entering words following the same pattern. Each valid word adds to your score and resets the timer.
- Apple → Elephant → Tiger → Rabbit → Turtle → ...
Score Points
Your score is calculated based on the length of each word and the total number of words in your chain.
Which game mode should you pick?
How do you score more points?
Think Ahead
Try to choose words that end with common letters like 'e', 's', or 'n', which give you more options for your next word.
Use Longer Words
Since scoring is based on word length, using longer words will significantly increase your score.
Manage Your Time
Don't panic when the timer gets low. Sometimes it's better to use a shorter word than to run out of time thinking of a perfect one.
Expand Your Vocabulary
The more words you know, the easier the game becomes. Consider learning uncommon words that start with difficult letters like 'q', 'x', or 'z'.
Compete Daily
Play the Word of the Day to compare your score with other players worldwide on the same starting word and game mode, which changes every day.
Try Different Modes
Each game mode offers a unique challenge. Try them all to find your favorite and master different play styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chain Reaction free to play?
Yes. Chain Reaction is completely free and runs in any web browser on desktop, tablet or phone. There is nothing to download and no account is required: open the site, pick a game mode or the daily challenge, and start playing immediately.
Is Chain Reaction on the App Store or Google Play?
Not yet. Chain Reaction is a web game, so it works on iPhone and Android straight from the browser without installing anything. You can add the site to your home screen for an app-like experience.
What is an example of a word chain?
Apple ends in E, so elephant works next. Elephant ends in T, so tiger follows, then rabbit, turtle and egg: apple → elephant → tiger → rabbit → turtle → egg. Each word starts with the last letter of the word before it. See more on our word chain examples page.
Can I play Chain Reaction in other languages?
Yes. Chain Reaction is playable in English, Spanish and French, each with its own dictionary, game modes, daily challenge and leaderboard. You can change your default language in the settings menu.
Why was my word rejected?
A word is rejected when it is misspelled, not in our dictionary, does not start with the required letter, or is shorter than the game mode's minimum word length. The timer keeps running, so try another word quickly.
Where can I find past daily challenge answers?
The daily challenge archive lists past challenges for each language, including the starting word, the goal, the top scores and the winning word chains.