What is apterous?
apterous is a UK-based puzzle game where players compete to solve word and number puzzles. You can play in British English, French, German, Welsh, global English and a variety of other languages.
Register here, or log in if you already have an account.
Current Duel Leaders
| # | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Hulme | — |
Format: 8 rounds of 20 seconds.
[Vote for the next Duel's format]
Latest Pencils
Top Dog
| # | Player | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kane Oliver | 99% |
These are the finest bones dug up lately,
in Mr Dog's opinion (patent pending).
Discussions
21
0
8
Mobile play - in game chat to flash?
Game feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
There's been a few new players recently who seem completely oblivious to the in game chat. (Maybe they just don't want to chat, which is fine, but I get the impression they just don't see it) I presume ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
7 0 0
CO:MK: Focal Finals/Open - Saturday November 29th
Announcement by George Armstrong. Status: Unconfirmed.
All to play for in two separate tournaments! Who will be our 2025 FOCAL champion? Date: Saturday 29th November 2025 Venue: Novotel Milton Keynes, Saxon St, Leyburn Ct, Heelands, Milton Keynes, MK13 7RA ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
9 0 4
June 2025 dictionary update
Announcement by Charlie Reams. Status: Unconfirmed.
Very small set of tweaks this time, with 8 new words and 3 removals. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XG4VcwZuZzmsKby-6nnsRx88i0GIgRfs2XtG2HctYqQ/edit?gid=1055914775#gid=1055914775 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XG4VcwZuZzmsKby-6nnsRx88i0GIgRfs2XtG2HctYqQ/edit?gid=679563332#gid=679563332 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
6 0 1
Co:cester (Countdown in Worcester) 2025!
Announcement by Tom Stevenson. Status: Unconfirmed.
Mispronounced as many times as a Countdown contestant declaring a word they can’t define – Countdown is coming to Worcester! Roll up, roll up! And welcome to the debut Co-event in Worcester, Co:cester! ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
26 0 4
Put the full variant rules in Junior versions, for people less familiar with them
Game feature request by Phil Stanton. Status: Unconfirmed.
Mainly affecting the more infrequent / newer users, but currently the Junior variants (e.g. Touchdown Junior) just say something like "Same as Touchdown, but" ... which is all well and good if you know ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
47 6 17
Showing shorter possible words after letters rounds
Game feature request by Jonathan Dyke. Status: Unconfirmed.
For beginner players specifically, I think it would be very helpful to show possible solutions shorter than the maximum. Quite often the maximum is an extremely obscure word, and it would be useful to ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
18 9 11
A bit of patience when entering number target.
Game feature request by Jon Stitcher. Status: Unconfirmed.
This problem doesn't come up too often, mostly during spoilage but when running out of time and trying to solve the numbers or work out exactly where you are you have no time to put the number in the box ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
6 3 4
Men and women!!
Brainstorm by Sarah M. Status: Unconfirmed.
I went for the word FIREWOMAN today and it was invalid. Yet the word POLICEWOMAN is valid, and lots of other words ending WOMEN/WOMAN still valid. I'm presuming the reason for this is because its now ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
41 0 74
Zoomdown Season 5
Announcement by Darren Godfrey. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello all. After a few discussions with folks, and having convinced myself that it'd be grand, I've decided to run a season 5 of Zoomdown. If you'd like to take part, and / or volunteer to be part of the ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
9 0 1
Co Stockport Times Saturday 14th June
Announcement by Mark Mills. Status: Unconfirmed.
Co-Stockport Saturday 14th July Amended times Doors Open 10:45am Draw 11:15am Play begins 11:30am Entries so far 30 [Read more] [More miscellany]
7 0 1
Countdown in Reading - 30 August 2025
Announcement by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
Countdown returns to Reading on 30 August 2025! Come and enjoy playing countdown in person with like-minded people in a fun and relaxed environment. Maybe you've seen co-events advertised but worry that ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
10 0 0
Option to search tickets by any specific user
Website feature request by Gevin Chapwell. Status: Unconfirmed.
At the moment when you're doing a ticket search, you can search for tickets filed by anyone or tickets filed by you. But I'd like to be able to select any specific user and search for the tickets filed ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
12 0 0
Co:Edinburgh 2025 - Saturday, 18th October
Announcement by Adam Beach. Status: Unconfirmed.
Aye, ye better believe it: October's annual Scottish FOCAL event is heading back to the capital. So, tighten your jobby catchers, crack open an Irn Bru, and whip out the haggis, cos we're gannie Edinburgh ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
9 1 0
Invitations to Co:Wat
Announcement by Eoin Jackson. Status: Unconfirmed.
Normally I will send out invitations to any potential interested parties re: Co:Wat?! This year I am undertaking a fairly onerous personal challenge (15 subjects in the Leaving Cert) which will take up ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
19 4 12
Pro-ranks - negative numbers
Website feature request by Fiona T. Status: Unconfirmed.
There's a handful of players with negative prorank ratings. I imagine this is pretty demoralising. My suggestion is that anyone with a prorank rating below a certain threshold (e.g. 20, but any other ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
22 3 2
The Maximilian
Game feature request by Roger Peak. Status: Unconfirmed.
Please can you add this award - to be given to anyone who achieves 1,000,000 career maxes? Chris Hare has achieved this today after many years of skill, persistence and all round max ability! Well done ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
29 4 5
Duel completion - prompt to vote for tomorrow's format
Game feature request by Ian Volante. Status: Unconfirmed.
Hello, I often forget to vote for tomorrow's duel format. A prompt would be nice, possibly on completion of today's duel. A pop-up would be somewhat intrusive, but maybe a link in the game window or something ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
32 3 7
DC to show non-maxes that beat you?
Game feature request by Andrew Hulme. Status: Unconfirmed.
No idea how this would work or whether its a stupid idea... but pretty frequently atm I declare say a 6 suspecting I'm missing a load of 7s, if there's a random 8 in there I don't get to see my ineptitude ... [Read more] [More feature requests]
7 0 8
Easiest way to browse other words you could have had
Brainstorm by Jon Stammers. Status: Unconfirmed.
What is the easiest way to check on other words you could reasonably have got in a game short of the max. I'm thinking especially of rounds where you and your opponent got 5s and 6s, for instance, and ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
12 0 0
Co:Blackpool 2025 - Saturday 13th September 2025
Announcement by Bradley Horrocks. Status: Unconfirmed.
As dependable as the rock-selling vendors on the pier, Co:Blackpool is back for another year! ———————————— Key information: DATE - Saturday 13th September 2025, doors open 11:15 ... [Read more] [More miscellany]
News
5 July 2025
- Tom Cappleman tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Gabriel Thallon tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Trevor Potts commented on The Apprentice: Task 27 (Hypertouch 15). [+2 others]
- Martin Thomas commented on The Apprentice: The Interviews. [+2 others]
- Mike Lee tied the high score for Lockdown Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Colin Thompson, who lasted 15 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Ronan M Higginson with a score of 84 from 94.
4 July 2025
- Gulshan R tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Dave Robjohns commented on AptoLeague: Season 35 Signups. [+1 other]
- Matthew Brockwell tied the high score for Nice Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Anthony Endsor tied the high score for Nice Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Jon Stammers commented on Pro Ranks for 9 June 2025. [+2 others]
- Ross K tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Tom Finn tied the high score for Junior Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Mark Jeary-Fairbairn, who lasted 10 rounds with a target of 6. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 4 people (Gulshan R, Ciaran M, Zohaib Rehan and Ray Wilding) with a score of 60 from 60.
3 July 2025
- Gabriel Thallon tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Mike Lee tied the high score for Unlimited Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Touchdown Jnr Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Speed Junior Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Nice Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Junior Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Junior Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Tal Lessner tied the high score for Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the record number of maximums for Junior Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Tom Finn tied the high score for Junior Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Chris Hare tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Drew Wood tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Tal Lessner tied the high score for Numbers Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Richard Decker's 133 - 0 game with Apterous Prune received a nomination for Game of the Week.
- Richard Decker commented on his game with Apterous Prune. [+1 other]
- Tal Lessner tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Roger Peak tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr 15 with 15 maxes.
- Tal Lessner tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Ravi Choudhary tied the record number of maximums for Unlimited Jnr Letters Attack with 20 maxes.
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Fiona T, who lasted 20 rounds with a target of 9. Woof!
- The Duel was won by Matt Hamer with a score of 68 from 108.
2 July 2025
- News: A total of 40 Duel Necklaces were awarded for June 2025.
- Fiona T's 122 - 73 game with J Bartram received a nomination for Game of the Week. [×5]
- Dylan Taylor tied the record number of maximums for 15 Rounder with 15 maxes.
- Tal Lessner tied the record number of maximums for Numbers Attack with 20 maxes.
- Dave Kempshall commented on APGA Tour 2025: Event 7: LIV - Dallas - Round 3. [+3 others]
- Trevor MacEoin commented on his game with The Duellist.
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Hazel Drury tied the high score for Conundrum Attack with 200 points, and tied the record number of maximums with 20 maxes.
- Fiona T's 122 - 73 game with J Bartram received a self-nomination for Game of the Week.
- Adam Latchford commented on Eurovision Song Contest: 2025: Grand Final. [+1 other]
- Mr Dog awarded the dog bone for best Top Dog performance to Mark Jeary-Fairbairn, who lasted 14 rounds with a target of 7. Woof!
- The Duel was won by 2 people (Stephen R and Mike Lee) with a score of 118 from 120.
1 July 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Trevor MacEoin's 135 - 71 15 Rounder win against Anan Nathan! This week's vote is now open.
- News: The Duel for June 2025 was won by Tom Cappleman!
- News: Tom Cappleman has been crowned champion of Eurovision Song Contest (2025)!
- Adam Latchford tied the record number of maximums for Goatdown Jnr. 9 with 9 maxes.
30 June 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
24 June 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Andrew Hulme's 123 - 113 15 Rounder +2TB win against Philip Aston! This week's vote is now open.
23 June 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
20 June 2025
- New: apterous History: May 2025.
17 June 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Matt Hamer's 214 - 0 Omelette win against The Duellist! This week's vote is now open.
16 June 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
10 June 2025
- News: Game of the Week was won by Ciaran M's 120 - 0 15 Rounder win against Apterous Prune! This week's vote is now open.
9 June 2025
- News: Updated ProRanks for this week.
7 June 2025
- News: Fi Thorne has been crowned champion of Eurovision Voting Contest!
6 June 2025
- News: Fi Thorne has been crowned champion of Reach your rating 2025!
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