Heads Up Game Online Free: How to Play, 15 Categories With 450 Cards, and Kids' Version

By The Rondovo team · Published August 9, 2026 · Updated October 11, 2026 · 11 min read

Heads Up is a guessing game where one player holds a word to their forehead, the others shout clues, and the guesser has 60 seconds to get as many as they can. The official Heads Up! app from Warner Bros. costs $1.99 on the App Store as of October 2026. To play a Heads Up game online free, you can use a free browser version such as Face Up on Rondovo, a video call with a shared list, or simply sticky notes and the 450 category cards in this guide.

Below: the rules, how to play online with friends, 15 categories with 30 original cards each, a kids' version, and house rules that make it better.

In short

• How it works: guesser holds the card face out, team gives clues, guesser calls out answers. Correct, tilt down. Pass, tilt up.
• Round: 60 seconds in the app. One point per correct card.
• Players: 2 or more; best with 4 to 8.
• Free online: Face Up runs in any browser with no download (3 to 12 players). Or share a list on a call.
• Without the app: sticky notes, or cards written from the lists below.

What is Heads Up?

Heads Up began as a game Ellen DeGeneres played on her talk show, and became an app from Warner Bros. You hold your device to your forehead with the screen facing your friends. They see a word, such as Penguin. You do not. They describe it, act it out, or sing it, and you guess. Tilt the screen down for a correct answer and up to pass. When the timer runs out, the app shows how many you got.

Heads Up app facts, as of October 2026

• App Store: $1.99, rated 13+, with in-app decks. The store listing describes over 100 themed decks and lets you make your own category.
• Google Play: listed by Warner Bros. with in-app purchases, more than 10 million downloads, rated Everyone. The listing mentions 60 seconds of guessing per round.
• Extra decks: many cost $1.99 each, some are free, and the App Store lists an Adults Only bundle for $7.99.
• Video: the app can record each round so you can watch the guesser's face afterwards.

How to play Heads Up

1. Pick a category everyone knows something about. Animals and food are safe for any group.
2. Choose a guesser. They hold the card or screen to their forehead, facing the group.
3. Start a 60 second timer. Everyone else gives clues at once.
4. The guesser calls out answers. Correct? Next card. Stuck? Pass and move on.
5. Count the correct cards. That is the guesser's score, or their team's.
6. Pass the screen to the next player. Play until everyone has had two turns.

Clue rules

The app leaves clue rules to you, so agree them before you start. The usual version:

• You may not say the word, part of the word, or a word that rhymes with it ("sounds like" is a fun exception for some groups).
• You may act, mime, hum or point at things in the room.
• You may not spell it or say the first letter.

Heads Up with teams

With 6 or more players, split into two teams. Only the guesser's team gives clues, and the other team watches the card to make sure nobody cheats. Alternate teams each turn. First team to 50 points, or most after three turns each, wins.

How to play Heads Up online with friends

There are three ways, depending on what you have.

1. A free browser game. In Face Up on Rondovo, one person opens the game, everyone joins with a four letter code, and on your turn you hold your screen facing the group. The others see the word on their own screens; you guess out loud and tilt to mark it, or a describer taps it for you. It is free, needs no download, and runs on any device with a browser, for 3 to 12 players. A TV is optional and shows the clock and the tally, never the word. On a video call it works too: everyone else already has the word on their own screen, so the guesser just turns theirs away.

2. The app on a video call. The guesser holds their device to the camera so the others can read it. It works, but cameras mirror and blur text, so increase the font or make sure the call shows the card clearly.

3. A shared list on a call. Everyone except the guesser opens one of the lists below. (Our games to play on FaceTime guide has more ideas for calls.) One clue-giver reads down the list in order while everyone else describes. The guesser keeps their eyes closed or their screen off.

Face Up: our free take on the forehead game

Face Up is our own version, not the Heads Up app. Each turn is 90 seconds by default (the host can set 45 to 120), everyone takes one to three turns, and the host picks a deck: Animals, Movies and shows, Food, Famous jobs, or Everything. Each correct word scores a point, passes are free and unlimited, and the highest total wins. The decks are fixed, so you cannot add your own words; use the lists below for that. It plays in about 10 minutes.

What the app does better: far more decks, custom categories, and recording your round. What Face Up does differently: nothing to buy or install, scores for the whole group in one place, and a TV view for a living room.

Heads Up categories: 15 decks of 30 cards

All 450 cards below are written for this guide. Read them from your screen on a call, or write them on index cards and shuffle. Each category is mixed difficulty, so a deck works for most ages over 8.

1. Animals

Elephant, Kangaroo, Penguin, Octopus, Giraffe, Chicken, Snake, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Bat, Frog, Shark, Owl, Pig, Crab, Camel, Bee, Cow, Squirrel, Parrot, Panda, Gorilla, Butterfly, Tortoise, Dolphin, Mouse, Peacock, Spider, Wolf.

2. Food and drink

Pizza, Popcorn, Spaghetti, Ice cream, Banana, Samosa, Pancakes, Hot chocolate, Burger, Sushi, Watermelon, Birthday cake, Toast, Lemon, Chips, Cereal, Milkshake, Biryani, Taco, Cheese, Boiled egg, Soup, Doughnut, Chilli, Coconut, Jelly, Sandwich, Mango, Porridge, Candyfloss.

3. Jobs

Doctor, Firefighter, Teacher, Chef, Pilot, Hairdresser, Dentist, Farmer, Footballer, Magician, Police officer, Astronaut, Builder, Waiter, Lifeguard, Photographer, Plumber, Vet, Singer, Judge, Taxi driver, Scientist, Postman, Librarian, Painter, Nurse, Clown, Gardener, Detective, Dancer.

4. Sports and hobbies

Swimming, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Skiing, Boxing, Yoga, Fishing, Knitting, Cycling, Basketball, Golf, Bowling, Karate, Surfing, Skateboarding, Chess, Baking, Gardening, Painting, Camping, Archery, Ice skating, Running, Rowing, Badminton, Darts, Juggling, Photography, Rock climbing.

5. Around the house

Toothbrush, Sofa, Fridge, Kettle, Umbrella, Pillow, Mirror, Vacuum cleaner, Remote control, Washing machine, Doorbell, Candle, Clock, Ladder, Broom, Bathtub, Lamp, Toaster, Hairdryer, Keys, Blanket, Sock, Scissors, Bin, Teapot, Curtains, Staircase, Plant, Light switch, Alarm clock.

6. Countries

India, Japan, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France, China, Kenya, Iceland, Spain, Greece, Russia, Argentina, Thailand, Ireland, Jamaica, Norway, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Peru, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Nepal, Morocco, Sweden.

7. Famous places

Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Pyramids, Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, Mount Everest, Niagara Falls, Colosseum, Grand Canyon, Sydney Opera House, Amazon rainforest, Sahara Desert, North Pole, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Stonehenge, Golden Gate Bridge, Machu Picchu, The Moon, Venice, Hollywood, Antarctica, Times Square, Mount Fuji, Dead Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Petra, Gateway of India, Angkor Wat, Buckingham Palace.

8. Transport

Bicycle, Helicopter, Submarine, Hot air balloon, Rickshaw, Tractor, Ambulance, Skateboard, Rocket, Cruise ship, Tram, Fire engine, Motorbike, Canoe, Cable car, Double decker bus, Scooter, Jet ski, Sledge, Parachute, Taxi, Steam train, Roller skates, Ferry, Monster truck, Bulldozer, Camper van, Unicycle, Gondola, Pogo stick.

9. Fantasy and fairy tales

Dragon, Unicorn, Mermaid, Wizard, Ghost, Vampire, Fairy, Giant, Troll, Pirate, Knight, Princess, Robot, Alien, Witch, Genie, Zombie, Superhero, Werewolf, Elf, Goblin, Magic carpet, Treasure map, Haunted house, Time machine, Mummy, Yeti, Talking mirror, Glass slipper, Beanstalk.

10. Things you do

Brushing your teeth, Sneezing, Yawning, Tying shoelaces, Doing the dishes, Taking a selfie, Walking the dog, Riding a horse, Climbing a tree, Blowing bubbles, Flying a kite, Making a bed, Ironing a shirt, Changing a tyre, Hiccups, Whistling, Playing the drums, Diving, Rowing a boat, Waving goodbye, Hula hoop, Skipping, Pumping up a ball, Opening a jar, Hailing a taxi, Building a sandcastle, Peeling a banana, Typing, Snoring, Stretching.

11. At school

Homework, Pencil sharpener, Lunch box, School bus, Blackboard, Spelling test, Playground, Head teacher, Sports day, Backpack, Ruler, Rubber, Calculator, Science lab, Library card, Assembly, Detention, Report card, School uniform, Paintbrush, Globe, Glue stick, Recorder, Class photo, Times tables, Field trip, Hall pass, Bell, Desk, Exam.

12. Nature and weather

Rainbow, Thunderstorm, Volcano, Waterfall, Tornado, Snowflake, Sunset, Earthquake, Puddle, Cactus, Sunflower, Iceberg, Desert, Cave, Island, Lightning, Fog, Hailstone, Mountain, River, Beach, Forest, Wind, Moon, Shooting star, Mushroom, Seashell, Rock pool, Avalanche, Heatwave.

13. Holidays and celebrations

Christmas tree, Fireworks, Birthday party, Diwali, Holi, Easter egg, Halloween costume, Wedding, New Year's Eve, Santa Claus, Pumpkin, Rangoli, Presents, Party hat, Sparkler, Snowman, Reindeer, Valentine's card, Eid, Lantern, Bonfire, Candy cane, Gingerbread house, Graduation, Baby shower, Confetti, Carol singing, Pinata, Trick or treat, Lunar New Year.

14. Feelings and faces

Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Surprised, Sleepy, Bored, Confused, Excited, Nervous, Proud, Shy, Grumpy, Silly, Jealous, Hungry, Embarrassed, Brave, Worried, Lonely, Curious, Disgusted, Relieved, Dizzy, Tickled, Thirsty, Cold, Hot, Loved, Guilty.

15. Kids' easy cards

Cat, Dog, Ball, Apple, Car, Train, Duck, Sun, Star, Fish, Cake, Balloon, Teddy bear, Banana, Hat, Shoe, Boat, Bird, Tree, Flower, Rain, Moon, Book, Egg, Cow, Bus, Rabbit, Crown, Kite, Lion.

Heads Up for kids

For children under 8, use the kids' easy cards, animals, transport and things you do. Acting is easier than describing at that age, so let kids act everything. Use a 90 second timer, let them pass as often as they like, and have an adult hold the card if the screen is heavy. Picture cards help too: draw a quick sketch next to each word for children who cannot read yet.

Heads Up for adults

For a grown-up night, mix the countries, famous places, feelings and jobs decks, then add a deck of your own about your group: old holidays, inside jokes, favourite songs by title. Keep it kind, with nothing that embarrasses someone in the room.

How to play Heads Up without the app

You need sticky notes, a pen and a timer.

• Sticky note version: each person writes three words from one category on sticky notes and puts them face down in a bowl. The guesser sticks one on their forehead, guesses, then grabs the next.
• Card version: write a category's 30 cards on index cards. Shuffle, hold one to your forehead, and pass the stack.
• Headband version: clip a card to a cap or a paper band so the guesser has their hands free for gestures.

This is the version for camping trips, long car rides with passengers, and grandparents who would rather not hold a phone up.

Tips to score more

• Clue-givers, go for the obvious. "Black and white bird that cannot fly" beats a clever riddle.
• Act first, then talk. A mime is often faster than a sentence.
• Guessers, keep talking. Say every guess that comes into your head. Silence wastes seconds.
• Pass fast. If nobody can explain it in 5 seconds, pass. There are always easier cards behind it.
• Do not all shout at once. Two clue-givers at a time works better than six.

More games like Heads Up

If acting is your group's favourite part, our charades ideas guide has hundreds more words, and Act It Out puts the secret word on the actor's screen only. If describing is the fun, read how to play Taboo or try Hush. For a whole evening's plan, see our family game night ideas or the party games guide.

Questions people ask

Can you play Heads Up online for free?

Yes. Free browser games like Face Up on Rondovo work on any device with no download. You can also play on a video call with a shared list of words while the guesser keeps their eyes closed.

Is the Heads Up app free?

On the App Store it costs $1.99 as of October 2026, with extra decks sold separately. On Google Play it is listed with in-app purchases; check the store in your country for the current price.

How long is a round of Heads Up?

60 seconds in the official app. At home, 60 to 90 seconds works well; give kids longer.

How do you play Heads Up with teams?

Split into two teams. The guesser's team gives clues while the other team checks nobody says the word. Score one point per correct card and alternate turns.

What are good Heads Up categories?

Animals, food, jobs, countries and things you do work for every group. For older players, add famous places, feelings and your own group's inside jokes.

Can you play Heads Up with 2 players?

Yes. One gives clues, the other guesses, then swap. Play best of five rounds and keep a total.

Can you play Heads Up on a laptop?

The app runs on phones and tablets. In a browser game like Face Up, a laptop works for hosting or for showing the scores on a TV, though holding a laptop to your forehead is not recommended.

Hold it up

Choose a category, set a timer and pass the cards. If you would rather play on screens with scores kept for you, open Face Up, share the four letter code, and hold your screen up when your turn comes.

Heads Up!, Warner Bros., The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Taboo, Hedbanz, App Store and Google Play are trademarks of their owners. Rondovo is not affiliated with them.