Online Charades Generator
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · updated September 7, 2026
Draw from more than 250 charades words and phrases without making an account. Pick a category or choose Everything, then use the built-in 60-second timer for each turn. It works well on a phone passed around the room.
Start playing: Choose a category, press Draw a word, hide the screen from the guessers, and act out the prompt without speaking.
Pick a category and press Draw a word. One player acts it out (no talking!) while the team guesses before the timer runs out. Pass the phone to the next player.
How to play charades
Charades is the classic no-equipment party game: one player draws a word or phrase and acts it out silently while their team races to guess it before time runs out. No talking, no pointing at objects in the room, and no mouthing the word. Players usually mime the category first, a cranking motion for a movie, for example, then the number of words, then act out each word or its syllables. This generator handles the one part that always stalls a game, coming up with words, so you can jump straight to playing.
Pick a category to match your crowd, or choose Everything for a mix. Press Draw a word, act it out, and start the 60-second timer for the round. When the team guesses it or time runs out, pass the phone to the next player and draw again. The Easy category is full of simple words for younger kids, while Movies and Actions suit older players and adults.
Team play and house rules
Split into two teams and keep score: a point for each word guessed in time. Common house rules include a two-finger tap on the arm to signal "sounds like," and cupping a hand behind the ear for a rhyme. Keep turns short with the timer so the game stays lively, and agree up front whether proper nouns and phrases are allowed. It travels anywhere, since everything you need is one phone passed around the room.
Choose charades words by difficulty
Use Easy (Kids) for simple animals and actions. Movies, Jobs, Sports, Food, and Places work for most mixed groups. Choose Difficult when experienced players want idioms and multiword phrases. Everything combines all categories for the largest pool.
Frequently asked questions
How does the charades generator work?
Pick a category (or Everything), press Draw a word, and a random word or phrase appears for the actor to perform. Use the built-in 60-second timer for each turn, then pass the device to the next player.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. The Easy (Kids) category uses simple, actable words like cat, jumping, and ice cream. Movies, Actions, and Jobs work better for older kids and adults.
How many people do you need for charades?
You can play with as few as four, split into two teams, but it scales up well for a big group. One phone with this generator is all the equipment you need.
What are the basic rules?
The actor performs the word silently, with no talking, pointing at objects, or mouthing words, while their team guesses before the timer ends. Teams take turns and score a point for each correct guess.
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