Codenames Words

Free Codenames word lists — pick a deck and play.

83 lists

About These Codenames Word Lists

Codenames is a word-association party game where two teams race to identify their agents on a 5x5 grid of words. Every round needs 25 words, and the quality of that list shapes the entire game. This site collects free, ready-to-use Codenames word lists across multiple languages, difficulty levels, and themes, so you can keep playing without repeating the same board.

How to use a custom word list

  1. Pick a list below that matches your group — language, and difficulty
  2. Copy the words, or shuffle and take 25 at random for a single round.
  3. Paste them into your favourite online Codenames tool, or write them on blank cards for the physical game.
  4. Lay the words out in a 5x5 grid and deal a fresh key card to the spymasters.

What makes a good Codenames word

The best Codenames words are concrete, familiar nouns that carry more than one association — BANK, STAR, NEEDLE, ORANGE. Words like these let a spymaster connect two or three cards with a single clue, which is where the game gets interesting. Abstract nouns, proper names, and very long words tend to flatten the board, because they only point one direction.

Frequently asked questions

How many words do you need for Codenames?
Twenty-five per round, arranged in a 5x5 grid. Most lists here hold several hundred words, enough for dozens of games before anything repeats.
Can I use custom word lists in Codenames?
Yes. Custom lists work with the physical game using blank cards, and most online Codenames implementations let you paste in your own words.
Are these word lists free?
Every list on this site is free to view, copy, and use. No account and no download required.