If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your friends online, Gartic Phone might just be the perfect game for you. It’s free, browser-based, and brings together drawing, guessing, and laughter in one hilarious package. Whether you play it for a casual hangout, a virtual game night, or even as a team-building activity, Gartic Phone guarantees non-stop entertainment.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn everything about how to play Gartic Phone, how to set it up, what game modes are available, and how to make your experience even more enjoyable. Let’s dive in.
What Is Gartic Phone?
Gartic Phone is an online multiplayer game that combines the classic game of “telephone” with drawing and guessing. Imagine a scenario where one person writes a phrase, another person draws it, and the next one guesses what the drawing means — and this continues until everyone gets a turn. The final results are almost always a mix of confusion and comedy.
The game is simple but brilliant. You don’t need to be an artist or even good at guessing. The fun lies in the misunderstandings that happen as your original phrase gets transformed through drawings and guesses. By the end of each round, you’ll see a slideshow of everyone’s contributions — and it’s almost guaranteed to make everyone laugh.
How to Play Gartic Phone Online
The best part about Gartic Phone is that it doesn’t require any downloads or payments. It works directly from your web browser.
Here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Visit the Website
Go to garticphone.com using your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Step 2: Create a Nickname
You’ll be asked to enter a nickname. Pick something funny, creative, or simply use your own name.
Step 3: Create or Join a Room
If you want to play with friends, choose “Create Room.” The game will give you a shareable link. Send that link to your friends — anyone who clicks it will join your game room instantly.
If you’ve been invited by someone else, just click on the link they’ve sent you and join their room.
Step 4: Choose Game Settings
Before starting, you can adjust settings like the game mode, drawing time, and number of rounds. For beginners, the Normal Mode is perfect to start with.
Step 5: Start Playing
Once everyone has joined, the host clicks Start. Now the fun begins!
How a Typical Round Works
Each round of Gartic Phone goes through a few stages:
- Writing a Prompt – Everyone begins by writing a short phrase or sentence. It could be anything, from “A cat playing guitar” to “A superhero eating pizza.” The more creative you are, the funnier it gets later.
- Drawing – Each player then receives a random phrase written by someone else. You’ll have to draw it on the screen within the time limit. Don’t worry if your drawing isn’t perfect — even a rough sketch adds to the fun.
- Guessing – Once the drawing stage is over, the next player receives your drawing and must guess what it represents.
- Repeat – This process continues: someone draws your guess, someone else guesses that drawing, and so on.
- The Big Reveal – At the end of the round, everyone gets to watch a slideshow of how the original phrase transformed through drawings and guesses. This part usually leads to bursts of laughter.
Game Modes in Gartic Phone
Gartic Phone offers several creative game modes. Each one adds a new twist to the gameplay. Here are some of the most popular ones:
1. Normal Mode
This is the standard version and perfect for beginners. You write a sentence, draw someone else’s, and guess another person’s drawing. Simple, fun, and full of surprises.
2. Secret Mode
In this mode, drawings and guesses are hidden until the end. You won’t see what others are doing — which makes the reveal at the end even funnier.
3. Animation Mode
In Animation Mode, you and your friends create short animated sequences. Each player continues from where the previous one left off, like making a flipbook together.
4. Knock-Off Mode
Here, you must redraw an image from memory in a shorter time. It’s a challenge of both creativity and memory.
5. Crowd Mode
This one is for larger groups. You can invite dozens of players, making it great for online classes, community events, or large gatherings.
Tips to Make the Game More Fun
Even though Gartic Phone is easy to play, there are a few simple ways to make it even more enjoyable:
1. Keep Prompts Funny and Unexpected
The more unusual your prompt, the funnier the results. Try phrases like “A crocodile doing yoga” or “Batman ordering coffee.” Funny or weird prompts often lead to the most creative drawings.
2. Don’t Worry About Drawing Skills
You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy the game. Stick figures, doodles, or simple lines work perfectly. The point isn’t to make a masterpiece — it’s to have fun.
3. Play with the Right Group Size
The ideal number of players is between 5 and 10. Fewer people make the game too short, while too many can make it last too long.
4. Use a Laptop or Tablet
While you can play on your phone, it’s easier to draw using a larger screen or a stylus on a tablet.
5. Switch Up the Modes
After a few normal rounds, try Animation or Secret Mode for a fresh experience.
6. Be Creative During Guessing
Sometimes, it’s more fun to take a wild guess than to be accurate. The funny misinterpretations make the game special.
Playing Gartic Phone with Friends
Gartic Phone is perfect for virtual hangouts or long-distance friendships. You can open a video call on Zoom, Discord, or Google Meet while playing. Watching everyone’s reactions in real-time adds a whole new layer of fun.
You can also play it in person using a shared screen. Everyone can take turns drawing and guessing while others watch.
For those who enjoy streaming or creating content, Gartic Phone is a great option for Twitch or YouTube because viewers love watching the chaos unfold in real-time.
Gartic Phone for Online Classes or Team Events
Beyond just fun, Gartic Phone is an excellent tool for team-building or classroom engagement.
Teachers and managers have used it to encourage creativity, teamwork, and communication. Since it’s free and browser-based, no one needs to download anything — all you need is the link.
For example, in a classroom, you can:
- Use it to revise topics by asking students to draw key concepts.
- Organise short breaks where everyone plays for 10 minutes to relax.
- Encourage communication and laughter in online sessions.
For teams, it’s a great icebreaker during virtual meetings or Friday fun sessions. It helps people unwind and collaborate in a lighthearted way.
Keeping the Game Safe and Private
If you’re playing with younger players or students, always create a private room. This ensures only people you invite can join. Public rooms might include random players, which isn’t ideal for controlled or family-friendly sessions.
Also, remind players to keep prompts clean and positive, especially when kids are involved. Gartic Phone allows you to set the tone of the game, so encourage kindness and creativity.
How to Draw Better in Gartic Phone (Even If You’re Not an Artist)
One of the funniest things about Gartic Phone is how even bad drawings can make the game better. But if you still want to improve your doodles, here are a few quick tricks:
- Use bold outlines – Draw clear, simple shapes instead of tiny details.
- Add arrows or symbols – If you want to show motion or direction, small arrows can help.
- Focus on one idea – Don’t overcomplicate your picture. Just show the main action.
- Use colour wisely – Different colours can make your drawing easier to understand.
Remember, even a stick figure can make people laugh when used creatively!
The Funniest Part — The Final Reveal
At the end of every round, Gartic Phone plays a slideshow that shows how each phrase changed from start to finish. Watching your friends’ guesses get wilder with every turn is the best part of the game.
You’ll often see a simple prompt like “A man walking his dog” turn into something like “Alien steals pizza from astronaut” — and that’s exactly what makes Gartic Phone so fun.
You can even download or share the final slideshow to relive the funniest moments later.
Why Gartic Phone Became So Popular
Gartic Phone exploded in popularity during lockdowns when people were looking for ways to stay connected online. Unlike other games, it doesn’t rely on competition or skill — just creativity, humour, and imagination.
Its charm lies in how it bridges people of all ages. Children, teenagers, and adults can all play together without feeling left out. The laughter it creates builds real connection, even from behind a screen.
Today, it’s not just a game but a social activity. From family nights to office Fridays, Gartic Phone brings people together.
Creative Ways to Play
If you’ve already played the normal way a few times, here are some fun twists you can try:
- Themed Rounds – Choose a theme like “Superheroes,” “Movies,” or “School Life” for all prompts.
- Speed Challenge – Reduce drawing time to just 20 seconds for a chaotic experience.
- Blind Mode – Everyone draws using their non-dominant hand.
- Story Mode – Use the Animation mode to create a short story together.
- Teacher’s Edition – Use it as an educational activity for subjects like science or history.
These variations keep the game fresh and make it enjoyable every single time you play.
Why You’ll Love Gartic Phone
At its heart, Gartic Phone is about connection. It allows you to express creativity, share laughs, and bond with people no matter where they are. There’s no pressure to win — only a shared experience of fun and laughter.
You’ll love it because:
- It’s free and needs no installation.
- You can play it anytime, anywhere.
- It’s easy to learn, even for beginners.
- It’s perfect for both small and large groups.
- Every game feels new and unpredictable.
Whether you’re playing with family, friends, classmates, or colleagues, Gartic Phone brings joy in the simplest form.
Final Thoughts
Gartic Phone proves that games don’t need complex rules or fancy graphics to be fun. All it takes is imagination, humour, and a willingness to laugh at yourself.
If you’ve never tried it before, gather your friends, open garticphone.com, and start your first round. Within minutes, you’ll be laughing at your own drawings, guessing wildly incorrect phrases, and creating memories that last.
In a world where screens often separate us, Gartic Phone reminds us that technology can also bring us closer — one funny drawing at a time.