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How scoring works: Nerdle

Your game score comes from your own puzzle result. Your party rank compares that score with your party's submissions for the same day.

Quick summary

Solve in fewer guesses to improve your Nerdle game score. Your party rank compares your game score with other party submissions for the same game/day and can change as new submissions arrive.

How to score well

  • Open with a guess that tests many different numbers and two operators.
  • Pin down the position of the = sign early — it narrows the equation shape fast.
  • Fewer guesses earn a better game score.
  • Unsolved puzzles score lower than solved puzzles.

How ranking works in parties

  • Fewer guesses rank higher within the party.
  • Unsolved entries earn 0 points for the day.
  • Tied guess counts share the same competition rank (1, 1, 3).

Example

In a 3-player party Alice solves Nerdle in 2 guesses, Bob in 4, Carol doesn't solve it. Alice earns 3 points, Bob earns 2, Carol earns 0.

How to submit your score

On iOS, tap Share on the win screen, then choose PuzzleParty. On Android or web, Share copies your result — paste it into PuzzleParty.

Technical scoring data 
{
    "ranking": {
        "tie_algorithm": {
            "key": "competition_ranking",
            "display_name": "Competition ranking"
        }
    },
    "examples": [
        "Solving Nerdle in 1 guess earns the maximum game score (and is a 1-in-17,723 lucky strike).",
        "Solving in 6 guesses still counts as solved and ranks above any unsolved entry.",
        "An unsolved Nerdle entry earns the lowest game score."
    ],
    "rule_text": "Fewer guesses earn a better game score.",
    "edge_cases": [
        "Nerdle share text exists only for wins \u2014 there is no loss share. A did-not-finish day is recorded via manual entry and scores 0.",
        "Two players who solve in the same number of guesses share the same competition rank within their party (e.g. 1, 1, 3)."
    ],
    "measurement": {
        "metric_key": "guess_count",
        "metric_label": "Guesses",
        "scoring_type": "lower_better"
    },
    "human_review": {
        "checklist": [
            "Verify rule_text reflects the scoring behavior without ambiguity.",
            "Verify examples are readable and match expected outcomes.",
            "Verify edge_cases are clear and non-conflicting, including the no-loss-share manual-DNF path."
        ],
        "machine_verifiable_scope": [
            "measurement.scoring_type",
            "absolute_scoring.method",
            "absolute_scoring.solved_floor",
            "absolute_scoring.unsolved_score",
            "absolute_scoring.range.best",
            "absolute_scoring.range.worst_solved",
            "ranking.tie_algorithm.key",
            "party_ranking.normalization_summary"
        ]
    },
    "party_ranking": {
        "normalization_summary": "Within a party, players are ranked on this game using fewer guesses first, with unsolved entries ranked last. Each player earns one point for every party member they beat, plus one. Players who don't solve the puzzle earn zero points for this game."
    },
    "schema_version": 1,
    "absolute_scoring": {
        "range": {
            "best": 1,
            "worst_solved": 0.2
        },
        "method": "lower_better",
        "scoring_type": "lower_better",
        "solved_floor": 0.2,
        "unsolved_score": 0
    }
}