Impostor
Find the spy — one player doesn't know the secret word!
The ultimate social deduction party game. Everyone receives the same secret word — except the impostor. Ask clever questions, give subtle hints, and figure out who's faking it. The impostor must blend in without knowing the word. Play on one phone, pass it around, and let the accusations fly!
How to Play Impostor
- 1 Enter player names (3-10 players) and choose a word category
- 2 Pass the phone to each player — they secretly see their role and the word (or 'IMPOSTOR')
- 3 After everyone has seen their role, discuss! Ask questions and give hints about the word
- 4 The impostor must pretend to know the word by blending in with others' hints
- 5 After discussion, pass the phone again — each player votes who they think is the impostor
- 6 The impostor is revealed! Citizens win if they vote correctly, impostor wins if they survive
Tips & Ideas
- 01Give hints that are specific enough to prove you know the word, but vague enough not to give it away to the impostor
- 02Watch for players who give very generic answers — they might be the impostor
- 03As the impostor, listen carefully to others' hints and try to figure out the word
- 04Ask indirect questions like 'How does this make you feel?' to catch the impostor off guard
- 05Play multiple rounds and keep score — first to 5 wins is the ultimate spy hunter
- 06Use 2 impostors for larger groups (7+) to make it more chaotic and fun
- 07The impostor can try to guess the word after being caught for bonus points
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Impostor work?
Everyone passes the phone to see their role. All citizens see the same secret word, but the impostor sees 'You are the IMPOSTOR' without knowing the word. Players then discuss face-to-face, giving hints and asking questions to find the spy.
How many players do I need?
You need at least 3 players, but 5-8 players is the sweet spot. With fewer players it's easier to catch the impostor, with more players the impostor has more cover. You can add up to 10 players.
Can I play with 2 impostors?
Yes! For groups of 7 or more, you can set 2 impostors. This makes the game much more challenging and chaotic — the impostors don't know each other, so they might accidentally vote for each other!
Is this game free?
Completely free! No download, no account, no in-app purchases. Just open the page and start playing. Works on any phone, tablet, or computer.
What categories are available?
We have 10 categories: Animals, Food & Drinks, Places, Movies, Sports, Music, Jobs, Brands, Hobbies, and Household items. Each category has 40+ words for endless replayability.
How long does a round take?
A typical round takes 3-5 minutes: about 30 seconds for setup, 2-3 minutes of discussion, and 1 minute for voting. Perfect for quick rounds between other activities.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes! Impostor is mobile-first and works on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Pass one phone around — no extra devices or apps needed.
Can I use it as a drinking game?
Absolutely! Popular rules: impostor drinks if caught, everyone drinks if the impostor wins, or the person who received the most wrong votes drinks. House rules make it your own!
Is it similar to Among Us?
Yes! It's inspired by the same social deduction concept — find the impostor among your friends. But instead of a video game, you play face-to-face with one phone, making it more personal and hilarious.
What if the impostor guesses the word?
If the impostor correctly guesses the secret word after being voted out, they can win instead! This adds an extra layer of strategy — citizens must be careful not to make their hints too obvious.
Fun Ways to Play
Impostor is endlessly fun — here are some popular variations:
🍻 Drinking Impostor
Caught impostor takes a shot. If the impostor wins, everyone else drinks. Wrong votes = sip for each wrong voter.
🏆 Tournament Mode
Play 5 rounds, track who wins as impostor and who catches them. Crown the ultimate spy hunter at the end!
🎭 Acting Round
Instead of talking, players must act out their hints silently. The impostor has to fake acting — hilarious results!
⏱️ Speed Round
Set the discussion timer to just 60 seconds. Rapid-fire questions and gut instinct votes. Pure chaos!
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
Use the Animals or Food category with simple hints. Great for kids 8+ — they love being the secret spy!
Who Plays Impostor?
Party Groups
The ultimate icebreaker and party game. Nothing beats the moment when the impostor is dramatically revealed — or when they fool everyone. Guaranteed laughter every round.
Board Game Fans
If you love Werewolf, Mafia, or Among Us, this is the perfect quick-play alternative. No setup, no game master needed. Just pick up the phone and play.
Families & Kids
Safe, fun, and educational. Kids practice deduction and social skills while having a blast trying to outsmart the adults. Works great for family game nights and road trips.