Bridge
Put a word between the clues to make two familiar words or phrases. PAPER goes between WALL and CLIP to make wallpaper and paper clip.
Read both pairs in order. If you think of a word that fits the first clue, say it with the second clue before you guess. That quick check catches words that fit only one side.
Shift
Find a single word that connects to both clues through two different meanings. STAGE links THEATER and PHASE. Actors stand on a stage, and a project can go through several stages.
Relay
Fill two gaps from left to right. Between RAIN and WATCH, COAT and POCKET make raincoat, coat pocket, and pocket watch. Finish the first gap to unlock the second.
Try a practice packHow scoring works
Daily, Unlimited, and Practice each have four missing words across three rounds. A correct first guess without a hint is worth three points, for a maximum of 12 per puzzle.
Each wrong guess or hint subtracts one point. One wrong guess plus a hint leaves one point if you then solve the link. A correct answer always earns at least one point. A reveal or a third wrong guess earns zero.
Chain Lock
Choose four of six rack words and place them between the fixed ends. Every neighboring pair must make a familiar word or phrase. Tap a placed word to free its slot. The other words stay in place.
You have three checks. A check marks each connection that holds. If you finish, you can post your time under a public nickname. Fewer checks rank first, then faster time.
Play Chain LockChain Run
Select the left or right end, then pick the word that fits. With BOOK at the right end, MARK makes bookmark. With BOOK at the left end, NOTE can make notebook.
A rack can contain more than one valid word. The word you choose changes the next rack. The run ends after three strikes or when neither end can grow. Sprint also ends at 60 seconds.
Play Chain RunFrequently asked questions
Is Chainle free?
All five game modes are free to play in your browser. You can start a puzzle without an account. Chain Lock only asks for a nickname if you choose to post a time.
When does the daily word puzzle reset?
Daily and Chain Lock reset at midnight UTC. You can replay recent Daily puzzles in the puzzle archive.
What’s the difference between Daily and Unlimited?
Daily gives everyone the same Bridge, Shift, and Relay rounds for that day. Unlimited draws the same three round types from a separate puzzle bank, so you can start another game whenever you like.
Why was my word rejected?
Enter a single English word of 2 to 24 letters. Each puzzle checks a curated list of answers. Some lists include alternatives, and a plausible word can still fall outside the list.
Does a hint use a guess?
A hint costs one point and leaves your guesses available. Submitting the same wrong word again leaves your guesses and score as they were.
Where can I play more puzzles?
Open Archive for earlier Daily editions, Unlimited for shuffled rounds, or Practice to replay a pack.
Where is my daily progress saved?
Daily progress and scores are saved in this browser. Use the same device and browser to resume a puzzle or see your streak.
How are visits counted?
Chainle uses Google Analytics and Umami to count public page visits and campaign referrals. The analytics scripts respect Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control.