The Basics#
Every day, Nerdle hides one 8-character math equation, like 12+35=47. Your job is to find it in at most 6 guesses. After every guess, the tiles change color to tell you how close you are, exactly like Wordle does for words (see Nerdle vs Wordle for the full comparison).
- The grid is 8 characters wide and every guess must fill the whole row.
- Use the digits 0-9 and the symbols + - * / =.
- A new puzzle is released every day at 00:00 UTC by default; an optional Nerdle setting switches the changeover to your local midnight — see what time that is where you live.
- NerdleBuddy’s documented rules generate 17,723 candidate answer forms for its model.
These rules cover Classic Nerdle, the original 8-character game. Shorter, longer, and faster versions exist too — see our guide to every Nerdle variant. And if you’re curious how the game came to be, read what is Nerdle?
What Counts as a Valid Guess?#
Every guess must be a mathematically correct equation:
- It must contain exactly one equals sign, with a plain number (no operators) on the right side.
- The calculation has to be true: 12+35=47 is accepted, 12+35=46 is rejected.
- Standard order of operations applies. Multiplication and division are evaluated before addition and subtraction, so 3+2*5=13, not 25.
- Commutative variants count: if the answer is 12+34=46, guessing 34+12=46 also wins by default.
One quirk worth knowing: equations with a standalone zero before the equals sign (like 0+12=12) are legal guesses but are never the daily answer — though an answer may evaluate to 0, like 10-3-7=0. Our hidden-rules guide covers how to use that to your advantage.
What the Tile Colors Mean#
Green — this character is in the answer and in exactly this position. Lock it in.
Purple — this character is in the answer but in a different position. It tells you what to include AND where not to put it.
Black — this character does not appear in the answer at all (or you have used it more times than it appears).
How Repeated Characters Are Scored#
A repeated digit can receive more than one color. Score each copy in this order:
- Characters in the correct position are scored first and show green.
- If your guess has another copy of that character and the answer does too (just in a different spot), the extra copy shows purple.
- If your guess has more copies of a character than the answer contains, the surplus copies show black.
So one green 5 plus one black 5 means the answer contains exactly one 5 — and you already know where it goes. (Any other term tripping you up? The Nerdle glossary defines them all.)
A Worked Example#
Suppose the hidden answer is 43-26=17 and you open with our recommended starter, 52-34=18. Here is the feedback you would see:
The green -, =, and 1 are locked in place. The purple 2, 3, and 4 are in the answer but belong somewhere else. The two black tiles prove there is no 5 and no 8 anywhere in the answer.
Across the full model, this opener reduces 17,723 candidate answer forms to about 33 on average. The number left in any one game depends on its exact colors. Use the solver to check your own row, or compare common patterns in the second-guess guide.
Beginner Tips#
Open with coverage
Use a first guess with 8 different characters, like 52-34=18. Eight distinct symbols means eight pieces of information.
Find the equals sign early
In classic Nerdle the = can only sit in position 5, 6, or 7. Pinning it down tells you the whole shape of the equation.
Use purple aggressively
A purple tile is two clues in one: the character is in the answer, and this position is ruled out. Reposition purples in every following guess.
Practice on old puzzles
Replaying puzzles from our archive or a random puzzle builds pattern recognition with zero streak risk. Every finish here also earns points — how points work has the full table.
Once you know the rules, our beginner tips guide has six more ways to get unstuck if you're still finding it slow going.
Looking for today’s official puzzle?
Use the spoiler-free hints and the verified answer for today’s Nerdle page. It is separate from NerdleBuddy’s original daily puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What are the rules of Nerdle?
Guess the hidden 8-character equation in six tries. Every guess must be a complete, mathematically correct equation using the digits 0-9 and + - * / =, with a plain number after the equals sign. Tiles turn green (right character, right spot), purple (right character, wrong spot), or black (no additional matching copy in the answer). This page walks each rule with a worked example.
How many guesses do you get in Nerdle?
You get 6 guesses to find the hidden 8-character equation. Each guess must be a complete, mathematically correct equation.
Why is my tile purple instead of yellow?
A purple tile means that character appears in the answer, but not in the position where you placed it. It is the equivalent of Wordle's yellow tile.
What time does Nerdle reset?
A new Nerdle puzzle is released at 00:00 UTC every day by default. Nerdle also offers an optional setting that changes the puzzle at your device's local midnight instead.
Does Nerdle use PEMDAS?
Yes. Nerdle follows standard order of operations — PEMDAS (or BODMAS, depending on where you went to school): multiplication and division are evaluated before addition and subtraction. So 3+2*5=13 is a valid equation while 3+2*5=25 is not.
Can a Nerdle guess be any equation?
A Classic guess must have eight characters, one equals sign, a plain number on the right, and a calculation that is true under standard order of operations. The official game’s accepted guesses can extend beyond its answer pool; NerdleBuddy uses a generated model for its own tools.
Is Nerdle free to play?
Yes. The official game at nerdlegame.com is free to play in any browser, and NerdleBuddy's solver, puzzles, and archive are free as well.
What are the hints for Nerdle?
NerdleBuddy offers progressive clues on its dedicated hints page, so you can get help without revealing the verified equation. The answer page is a separate destination for when you want the solution. Today’s Nerdle Hints
How difficult is Nerdle?
Classic uses school-level arithmetic, but reading the clues takes practice. Our saved strategy solves all 17,723 modeled answer forms in five guesses or fewer, averaging about three. Difficulty ratings on original puzzles describe that model; they are not a prediction of your score.
Play your first NerdleBuddy puzzle
Try an original eight-character equation using the rules above. Optional hints can help if you get stuck; no account is required to start playing.