ImposterHow to play Imposter
A social deduction game where innocents know a secret word and imposters must blend in.
Setup
One player creates a lobby and shares the code. Everyone else joins. The host configures the settings such as imposter count, round limit, time per turn.
Roles
When the game starts every player is secretly assigned a role. Innocents are shown the secret word. Imposters are shown a vague hint or nothing at all.
Giving clues
Turn order is set at the start of the game and stays the same throughout the game. Players take turns submitting a clue.
A clue is a single word related to the secret word.
Voting
After everybody has submitted their clue, all players start voting. You can vote for a player or vote to skip. The option with the most votes wins. A tie skips the vote.
Winning
- Innocents win by ejecting every imposter.
- Imposters win when they equal the number of remaining innocents — at that point they can no longer be outvoted.
- Imposters also win instantly if one of them submits the secret word as their clue. This is the bold play: guess right and it is over immediately.
- If the round limit is reached with no result, the team the host nominated as the tiebreaker takes it.
Tips
As an innocent: choose a clue that is specific enough to show you know the word, but vague enough to not give it away. Watch for players that seem confused.
As an imposter: choose a clue that is vague enough so you don't seem too suspicious. Try to reverse engineer the secret word from the clues you see.
Anyone: clues based on previous clues might make you seem suspicious.
Frequently asked questions
What is Imposter?
Imposter is a free online social deduction game for 3 to 16 players. Everyone is shown the same secret word except the imposters, who get only a hint or nothing at all. Players take turns giving one-word clues, then vote on who they think is bluffing.
How do I play Imposter online for free?
Open the site, type a name and press Start a game to create a room, then share the room code or invite link. Friends join by entering the code. It runs entirely in the browser: no download, no account, and no cost.
How many players do I need?
At least 3. The sweet spot is 5 to 10 players; with more people the host can add a second imposter.
Does Imposter work on phones?
Yes. Every player uses their own device, and phones, tablets and laptops all work. Players are usually in the same room or on a voice call.
How long does a game take?
A round of clues and a vote takes two to three minutes. A game lasts until every imposter is voted out, an imposter guesses the word, or the round limit set by the host is reached — typically 10 to 20 minutes.