Nerdle91

How to play Nerdle

Nerdle looks complicated the first time you see it. It isn't. You're guessing a math equation instead of a word, and the color feedback tells you exactly how close you are. Most people pick it up in one or two rounds.

What is Nerdle?

Nerdle is a math puzzle game inspired by Wordle. Instead of guessing a 5-letter word, you're guessing a complete math equation. In Classic mode, each equation is 8 characters long - a mix of digits (0-9), operators (+, -, *, /), and an equals sign (=). You get 6 attempts to figure out the hidden equation.

A valid guess must be a real equation: both sides of the equals sign must be mathematically equal. You can't type random characters. After each guess, tile colors show you which characters are right, which are misplaced, and which aren't in the answer.

Understanding the grid

The grid has 6 rows and 8 columns (in Classic mode). Each row is one guess attempt. Each cell in a row holds one character: a digit, an operator, or the equals sign. You fill in a row, press Enter, and the colors appear.

An 8-column row before submission — each cell holds one character

What do the tile colors mean?

After every guess, each tile gets one of three colors. Here's what they tell you.

Green - correct position

The character is in the hidden equation AND in the correct column. Keep it there.

Purple - wrong position

The character is in the hidden equation but you have it in the wrong column. Move it somewhere else in your next guess.

Dark - not in equation

The character isn't in the hidden equation at all. Don't use it again.

Example: Say the hidden equation is 13+24=37 and your guess is 12+3=469:

1 is green (correct), 2 and 3 are purple (misplaced), the rest are dark (absent)

Step-by-step game guide

1. Type your first equation

Pick a valid equation that fills all 8 columns. A good starting guess tests several different digits and at least one operator. Something like 12+34=46 checks six digits, the + operator, and the equals sign position. Press Enter to submit.

A first guess testing 6 different digits and the + operator

2. Read the feedback

Look at the colors. Green tiles stay where they are. Purple tiles need to move to different columns. Dark tiles are eliminated completely. The on-screen keyboard also updates to show which characters are available, misplaced, or ruled out.

Your guess
1
2
+
3
4
=
4
6
→
Feedback
1
2
+
3
4
=
4
6
Green = locked, purple = move it, dark = eliminate it

3. Build your second guess

Use what you learned. Keep green characters in their positions. Try purple characters in new positions. Avoid dark characters entirely. Your second guess should significantly narrow down the possibilities.

4. Lock in the equals sign

The equals sign always appears exactly once. In 8-column Classic, it's usually in column 5, 6, or 7. If your first guess tells you = is in column 6, you now know the result is two digits (columns 7-8). This constrains what the left side can be.

Equals sign in column 6 — the result is two digits

5. Use math to eliminate options

Both sides must be equal. If you know the right side is 37, the left side must be an expression that equals 37. That limits your operator and digit choices. Think about what operations could produce the known result with the available characters.

6. Solve it

By guess 3 or 4, you should have enough green and purple tiles to narrow the answer to a small number of possibilities. If you're not sure, make a guess that tests the remaining unknowns rather than playing it safe.

Most players solve Classic puzzles in 3-5 guesses

Equation rules

These constraints apply to every guess in every mode.

  • •Every guess must be a valid equation - both sides of the = sign must be mathematically equal.
  • •Each equation has exactly one equals sign (=).
  • •No leading zeros. 02+3=5 is invalid; 2+3=5 is valid.
  • •Division must produce a whole number. 7/2 is not allowed because the result is 3.5.
  • •Multiplication and division are evaluated before addition and subtraction (standard order of operations). So 2+3*4=14, not 20.

💡 If your guess is rejected, check these rules. The most common mistake is entering an equation where both sides aren't actually equal.

Why the equals sign matters so much

The equals sign divides every equation into two parts: the expression (left side) and the result (right side). Finding where = sits is the single most useful piece of information early in the game.

In 8-column Classic, = is in column 4 about 5% of the time, column 5 about 15%, column 6 about 50%, and column 7 about 30%. Start by testing it in column 6. If it turns green, the result is two digits. If it's dark or purple, adjust your next guess.

Testing = in column 6 — the most common position

All Nerdle game modes

Six modes, each with a different twist.

Classic

8 columns, all operators, daily puzzle. The standard Nerdle experience.

Mini

6 columns, + and - only. Simpler daily puzzle for quick games.

Casual

Unlimited 6-column practice. Same rules as Mini, no daily limit.

Pro

10 columns with parentheses. The hardest Nerdle variant.

Speed

Classic rules with a countdown timer. Race against the clock.

Theme

8-column puzzles filtered by topic: Algebra, Fractions, Percentages, Finance.

Mini mode — 6 columns, + and - only

Tips for beginners

  • 1Use the same opening equation every time until you're comfortable. Consistency helps you learn patterns faster.
  • 2Focus on the equals sign position first. Everything else gets easier once you know where = goes.
  • 3Don't panic about operators. Start with + and -. Once you're comfortable, the * and / puzzles follow the same logic.
  • 4Play Casual mode to practice without pressure. The unlimited format lets you learn from mistakes immediately.
  • 5Look at the keyboard highlights. After each guess, the on-screen keyboard shows which characters are green, purple, or dark. Use it instead of trying to remember everything.

FAQ

Is Nerdle hard to learn?
No. If you can do basic arithmetic, you can play Nerdle. The equation format takes one or two games to get used to. Start with Mini mode (6 columns, + and - only) if you want an easier introduction.
What's a good first guess?
12+34=46 is popular because it tests 6 different digits and the + operator. Some players prefer 9*8-7=65 to test multiplication. Any equation that uses several distinct characters works well as an opener.
How do I know where the equals sign goes?
Your first guess will give you feedback on the = position. In 8-column Classic, = is most commonly in column 6 (about half the time). Try it there first.
Can the same digit appear twice in an equation?
Yes. Something like 11+22=33 is valid. Repeated digits are common. The color feedback applies to each individual tile, so a digit can be green in one position and absent in another.
What happens if I can't solve it in 6 guesses?
The hidden equation is revealed after your 6th guess. In daily modes (Classic and Mini), you'll get a new puzzle the next day. In unlimited modes, you can start a fresh puzzle immediately.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Nerdle91 runs entirely in your browser. Stats and progress save to your device's localStorage. No sign-up, no email, no login.

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