How to Play Countdown: The Rules of Every Round

Countdown is Britain's longest-running game show, on air since 1982. The rules are simple to follow but easy to half-remember, so here is a clear explanation of every round, how points are scored, and how to play along at home.

The format

A game is made of several letters rounds, a few numbers rounds, and a final Conundrum. Two contestants compete, and each round is played against a 30-second clock set to the famous Countdown music. Here is how each type works.

The letters round

One player chooses nine letter tiles one at a time, each time asking for a "vowel" or a "consonant" from two face-down stacks. The selection must contain at least three vowels and at least four consonants; most players ask for four or five vowels.

Both contestants then have 30 seconds to make the longest single word they can, using each tile at most once. You score one point per letter, so a six-letter word is worth 6. A nine-letter word scores double: 18 points. If both players find a word of the same length, they both score.

The numbers round

One player picks six tiles from two groups: four "large" numbers (25, 50, 75 and 100) and a set of "small" numbers (two each of 1 to 10). A common choice is one or two large numbers and the rest small. A random three-digit target from 101 to 999 is then generated.

Using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, players have 30 seconds to get as close to the target as they can. Every step must give a positive whole number, and you need not use all six tiles. Scoring: reaching the target exactly scores 10 points, within 5 scores 7, and within 10 scores 5. Miss by more than 10 and you score nothing.

The Conundrum

The game ends with the Countdown Conundrum: a scrambled nine-letter word. The first player to buzz in with the correct word wins 10 points, but a wrong buzz locks them out for the rest of the round. Because it is winner-takes-all and comes last, the Conundrum often decides close games.

How a word is judged

On the show, words are checked against the Oxford Dictionary of English, with the lexicographer in "Dictionary Corner" making the final call. Proper nouns and abbreviations are not allowed. Playing at home, any good dictionary works as your judge.

Playing along at home

• Letters: pause the recording when the clock starts and give yourself the full 30 seconds.
• Numbers: work from a large number towards the target, then adjust with the small ones.
• Conundrum: look for common endings like -ING or -TION, and try not to read the jumble as the near-words it resembles.

Get better at each round

Once you know the rules, strategy is what wins games. We have detailed guides for each part: the letters and numbers strategy guide, a data-backed look at which number tiles give the best odds, and how to solve the Conundrum. You can also check any round against a perfect solver with our free Countdown solver.

EasyUnscramble is independent and not affiliated with Channel 4, ITV Studios or the Countdown programme. This guide describes the standard format; special editions may vary.

Related reading: Countdown strategy guide · Countdown numbers strategy

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