Cows & Bulls

Crack the secret 4-digit code

Choose your challenge
🐂Bull = right spot
🐄Cow = wrong spot
10 guesses to win

How to play Cows & Bulls

A classic code-breaking game of logic and deduction.

The rules

  1. A secret is chosen

    The game picks a random 4-digit number or 4-letter word with all unique digits or letters.

  2. You guess

    Type any valid 4-digit number or 4-letter word with all unique digits or letters. In word mode your guess must be a real English word.

  3. You receive feedback

    Each guess returns a count of Bulls and Cows. Use them to narrow down the secret.

  4. Win or lose

    4 bulls means you cracked it! You have 10 guesses. Use them wisely.

Bulls & Cows explained

Bull

Correct digit or letter in the correct position

Cow

Correct digit or letter but in the wrong position

Worked examples

Numbers mode - secret is hidden

Secret:
4832
1825
🐂 1 bull🐄 1 cow

8 is a bull (correct position) · 2 is a cow (exists but wrong place) · 1 and 5 are misses

4829
🐂 2 bulls🐄 1 cow

4 and 8 are bulls · 2 is a cow (wrong position) · 9 is a miss

4832
🐂 4 bulls

4 bulls - cracked it!

Words mode - secret is hidden

Secret:
FISH
FORK
🐂 1 bull

F is a bull (correct position) · O, R, K are all misses

SHIP
🐂 0🐄 3 cows

P is a miss · S, H, I are all in the secret but in the wrong positions

FAST
🐂 2 bulls

F and S are bulls · A and T are misses

FISH
🐂 4 bulls

4 bulls - cracked it!

Frequently asked questions

What is Cows and Bulls?
Cows and Bulls is a classic code-breaking logic game. One player chooses a secret 4-digit number (or 4-letter word) with all unique digits/letters, and the other player tries to guess it. After each guess the guesser receives feedback: a 'Bull' for each digit/letter that is correct and in the right position, and a 'Cow' for each digit/letter that is in the secret but in the wrong position.
What is the difference between a Bull and a Cow?
A Bull means the digit or letter is correct AND in the correct position. A Cow means the digit or letter exists in the secret but is in the wrong position in your guess.
How many guesses do I get in Cows and Bulls?
You have 10 guesses to crack the secret number or word. If you reach 4 Bulls on any guess, you win. If you use all 10 guesses without getting 4 Bulls, the game is over.
Can digits or letters repeat in the secret?
No. Both the secret and your guesses must contain 4 unique digits (or unique letters in word mode). In number mode, the first digit also cannot be zero. In word mode, your guess must be a valid English word.
What is a good strategy for Cows and Bulls?
Start with a guess that covers a wide spread of common digits or letters. Use every Bull and Cow you receive to eliminate impossible positions through logical deduction. Avoid repeating digits or letters you have already confirmed as misses.