How scoring works

Every puzzle awards a base score for solving quickly, with clear deductions for any hints you use along the way. Scores are always whole numbers and never drop below zero.

Scoring rules

Base points

Solve in 1 guess: 100 points
Solve in 2 guesses: 90 points
Solve in 3 guesses: 80 points
Not solved (time runs out or 3 incorrect guesses): 0 points

Hint deductions (only apply when you solve)

First letter reveal: -15 points
Last letter reveal: -15 points
Puzzle hint: -20 points
Clue word reveal: -5 points each

Constraints

Scores are always whole numbers—no decimals.
Deductions never push you below 0.
If you do not solve the puzzle, your score is exactly 0 no matter how many hints you used.

Worked example

Imagine you solve today's puzzle on your second guess. Before submitting that winning guess, you revealed the first letter and opened two clue words.

Base for solving in 2 guesses: 90 points
First letter reveal: -15 points
Two clue word reveals: -10 points
Final score: 90 - 15 - 10 = 65 points

If your deductions ever exceed the base score, your score simply bottoms out at zero. And if you never solve the puzzle, your score for that day stays at zero regardless of hints used.