Who Is the Spy Game: Rules, Words & How to Play Online
Who Is the Spy Game: Rules, Words & How to Play Online
Who Is the Spy? (also known as "Who Is Undercover" or the imposter word game) is a hugely popular social deduction game that originated in China and has spread worldwide. If you've heard of this game and want to learn the rules, find word lists, or play online — this guide covers everything.
What Is "Who Is the Spy?"
"Who Is the Spy?" is a party game where:
- All players receive a secret word
- Most players get the same word (civilians)
- One player gets a different but similar word (the spy/imposter)
- Players give clues about their word without saying it directly
- The group votes to eliminate who they think is the spy
If the group finds the spy, civilians win. If the spy survives, the spy wins.
Sound familiar? It's the same concept as the imposter word game, impostor game, or "find the fake" — just with different names in different countries.
Who Is the Spy Rules (Step by Step)
Setup:
1. You need 4 or more players (works best with 5–10)
2. Use an app like Who's Fake? or write words on paper
3. One player is randomly assigned as the spy with a different word
Gameplay:
1. Each player privately reads their word
2. Going around in order, each player gives a one-word clue about their word
3. After everyone has given a clue, the group discusses who might be the spy
4. Players can ask questions, make accusations, and defend themselves
5. The group votes — the player with the most votes is eliminated
Winning:
- Civilians win if they correctly vote out the spy
- The spy wins if they survive the vote or correctly guess the civilians' word
Who Is the Spy vs. Other Names
This game goes by many names:
| Name | Origin |
|---|---|
| Who Is the Spy? | Chinese TV show origin |
| Who Is Undercover? | Common English translation |
| Imposter Word Game | Western mobile app name |
| Find the Fake | Casual name |
| The Chameleon | Board game variant |
| Spy Game | Generic name |
They all share the core mechanic: one player has a different word and must blend in. Who's Fake? is the free mobile app version that works on iOS, Android, and web.
Best Word Pairs for Who Is the Spy
| Civilian Word | Spy Word | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Tea | Easy |
| Guitar | Violin | Medium |
| Dentist | Doctor | Medium |
| Lemon | Lime | Hard |
| Alligator | Crocodile | Hard |
| Pancake | Waffle | Medium |
| Netflix | YouTube | Easy |
| Yoga | Pilates | Hard |
| Eagle | Hawk | Hard |
| Beach | Pool | Easy |
Want more? Check our full imposter game word list with 200+ pairs.
How to Play Who Is the Spy Online
You don't need to be in the same room anymore. Here's how to play online:
Using Who's Fake? (Easiest)
1. Download the free app (iOS / Android) or play in browser
2. Create an online room — you'll get a room code
3. Share the code with friends
4. Everyone joins on their own device
5. The app assigns words, manages turns, and handles voting
Using Video Call + App
For the most fun, stay on a video call (Zoom, FaceTime, Discord) while everyone plays on the app. The face-to-face reactions make the game much more entertaining.
Strategy Tips
As a civilian:
- Give clues specific enough that only your exact word fits
- Watch for players giving suspiciously vague answers
- Pay attention to who gives their clue last (they might be copying others)
As the spy:
- Listen to early clues to figure out what the civilian word might be
- Give a clue that works for both your word and the potential civilian word
- Accuse someone else confidently — suspicion deflects suspicion
Play Who Is the Spy Right Now
Who's Fake? is the best way to play Who Is the Spy on your phone. Free, no account needed, hundreds of word pairs, and three play modes.
Download free on App Store | Get on Google Play | Play Online Free
Related: Social Deduction Games: What They Are and Why Everyone Loves Them
Play Who's Fake? Free
The free imposter word game on iOS & Android