
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,239
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Perfect Words
- 2–6 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2023

1956
Rules assistance for Jotto
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Jotto is a board game released in 1956 for 2 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. Its main mechanics are Paper-and-Pencil.
The object of the game is to find your opponent's secret word. Each player chooses a five letter word and writes it down so the other cannot see it. The word should be in the dictionary and can include letters that repeat. One player now announces a test word and the second player reveals how many letters in that word are the same as the letters in his secret word. Such a letter is called a jot and the first player marks down how many jots that word contained. Players take turns guessing and use the information (number of jots) they have gathered to guess the opponents secret word.
Jotto supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Jotto is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Jotto for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Jotto has a complexity rating of 1.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Jotto belongs to these categories: Word Game and Deduction. Its main mechanics are Paper-and-Pencil. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Jotto as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.