What Is Bulls and Cows?
Bulls and Cows — also known as Mastermind or the code-breaking game — is a classic logic deduction puzzle: the computer secretly picks a code of digits with no repeats, and you crack it through a series of guesses, guided by two numbers after every try. It is pure deductive reasoning, hugely popular, and plays free in your browser.
How to Play Bulls and Cows
- Pick a digit length. Choose 3, 4 or 5 digits; digits never repeat and the first digit is never zero.
- Build a guess. Tap digits on the keypad to assemble your candidate code.
- Read the feedback. After submitting you get two numbers — Bulls (A) count digits that are correct and in the right position, Cows (B) count digits that are correct but in the wrong position.
- Eliminate and narrow. Use the feedback to rule out impossible codes and zero in on the answer.
- Crack the full code to win. Solve the whole secret to finish the game.
Bulls and Cows Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Secret | Code of 3/4/5 digits, no repeats, no leading zero |
| Bulls (A) | Correct digit in the correct position |
| Cows (B) | Correct digit in the wrong position |
| Win condition | All digits correct and in position (all Bulls) |
| Help | Hint button shows a consistent next guess |
| Cost & access | Free, no download, no sign-up |
Two Game Modes
Every game starts from the same launch panel, where you pick a mode and a code length. Both modes use the identical rules — the only difference is whether the clock is running against you.
| Mode | How it works | Ranked? |
|---|---|---|
| Rank Mode | A 10-minute challenge. Every code you crack scores one point, and a new secret is dealt the moment you solve it. When the clock hits zero your total number of solved codes is submitted to the leaderboard. | Yes — highest solved count wins |
| Normal Mode | Untimed, unranked practice. Solve one code at a time at your own pace, then press Play Again for a fresh secret. | No |
Scoring and Ranking Rules
- One code equals one point. Only fully cracked codes count — a near miss earns nothing.
- Rank runs are 10 minutes long. The countdown starts when you press Start and never pauses, even while you read feedback.
- Boards are separated by code length. 3-digit, 4-digit and 5-digit runs each have their own leaderboard, so a 5-digit specialist is never ranked against a 3-digit sprint.
- Higher is better. The leaderboard sorts by solved count descending; ties share the same total, so speed itself is not the tiebreaker.
- Only your personal best is kept. Replaying a mode replaces your entry only if you beat your own record.
- Hints do not cost points. The Hint button suggests a guess consistent with all feedback so far, but it is never a guaranteed answer — you still have to submit the winning guess.
Strategy Tips
- Use elimination logic. A guess of 1 2 3 4 returning 0 Bulls 0 Cows removes all four digits instantly — a clean sweep is the fastest information you can buy.
- Confirm digits before positions. First establish which digits are in the code, then use later guesses to place them — digit identity is cheaper than placement.
- Exploit position clues. Move a known digit between slots; if its Bulls count rises by one, you have just locked its true position.
Bulls and Cows FAQ
Is Bulls and Cows free?
Yes — it is completely free on this site. No paywall, no download and no account; open the page and start deducing.
What do Bulls and Cows mean?
Bulls (A) are digits that are correct and in the right position; Cows (B) are digits that are correct but in the wrong position. Together they tell you how close each guess is.
What if I get stuck?
Press the Hint button — it fills in a guess that is consistent with every piece of feedback you have received so far, showing you a logically valid next move.