FAQ
Cipher Mosaic frequently asked questions
Clear answers about scoring, blanks, duplicates, locks, notes and the leaderboard.
Does the game reveal which exact slot is correct?
No. After each guess you receive only the total number of exact matches and the total number of correct colors in wrong positions. The identity and order of those matched slots are never revealed.
What exactly is an exact match?
A value matches the secret code at the same position. Exact matches are removed from further comparison first, so they cannot also be counted as misplaced.
How are correct colors in wrong positions counted?
After exact matches are removed, the remaining values are compared. Each element of the secret code can be matched at most once. One red in your guess therefore cannot score against two red values in the code.
Can colors repeat?
Yes. Any value may appear multiple times in the secret code, even in every position. Your guesses can also contain repeats.
Is the blank slot really a separate color?
Yes. Blank, shown as Ø, is a full value. It counts toward the number of available colors, can repeat and is scored exactly like every other value.
What is the global color palette for?
It is your private notebook. Clicking a value crosses it out because you currently believe it is impossible. The game does not validate that choice and still lets you use crossed-out values later.
What does the lock inside a slot do?
A locked value is automatically copied into the next guess. This is a convenience tool, not a clue from the game. A locked assumption can be wrong and may be unlocked at any time.
What matters more on the leaderboard: time or guesses?
Guesses. Fewer guesses always rank higher. Time is only the tiebreaker when players solve the code in the same number of guesses.
How is a leaderboard category calculated?
The category equals available values × positions. For example, 6 values × 4 positions produces category 24. The table still shows the actual configuration because 6×4 and 4×6 share a product but may play differently.
What is the maximum setup?
Up to 30 positions and 30 available values including blank, for category 900. The number of possible codes grows exponentially, so the largest setups are intentionally extreme.
Can I give up?
Yes. Giving up reveals the secret code and ends the game, but that result should not enter the leaderboard.
Why can I still choose a crossed-out color?
Because crossing it out is only your note. Preventing you from selecting it would effectively confirm your deduction. The ability to restore and reuse values is intentional.
Does Cipher Mosaic require an account?
No. Playing does not require registration. A nickname is only needed when saving a leaderboard result. Without an active server, the leaderboard can operate locally in the browser.
Do the PL and ENG versions use the same rules?
Yes. Only interface and content language change. Random generation, scoring and leaderboard logic remain identical.