The basic rules
- Pick two articles. A start article (where you begin) and a target article (where you want to end up).
- Open the start article. The clock starts when the first page loads.
- Click only links in the article. No search box, no typing URLs, no opening new tabs, no Ctrl+F in the strictest version (on WikiRace Online, Ctrl+F is allowed — it's your browser).
- Reach the target. The race ends the moment the target article loads.
- Compare scores. Fewest clicks wins. If two players tie, the faster time wins.
What counts as a click?
Every article you move to is one click. Going back to a previous page with the in-game Back button also counts as one click, so dead ends cost you. Links that jump to a section of the same page (like a table of contents entry) don't count, because you stay on the same article.
Popular WikiRace variants
| Variant | How it works |
|---|---|
| Fewest clicks | Classic scoring. Take your time; only the number of pages matters. |
| Speedrun | Fastest time wins regardless of clicks. Popular with streamers. |
| No United States | You may not visit the "United States" article (or any country article) — the most common shortcut hub. |
| Five clicks or less | Reach the target in at most five clicks or you lose, however long it takes. |
| Daily challenge | Everyone races the same route once a day and compares on a global leaderboard. |
How to race your friends
Open a custom race, type the start and target, and share the link before anyone starts. Everyone begins at the same moment; the first to arrive calls it, and then you compare click counts. Or finish a race first, press Share, and let friends try to beat your score on their own time.
Tips for your first races
Start with easy targets: famous people, countries, animals and big inventions. Head for broad "hub" articles first, then narrow down. When you're ready to get faster, read our Wikipedia speedrun tips.
FAQ
Is using the back button cheating?
On WikiRace Online the in-game Back button is allowed, but it counts as one click. Using the browser's own back button, search, or typing a URL isn't allowed in the classic rules.
Do links in infoboxes, tables and image captions count?
Yes. Any link to another article inside the page body is fair game, including infoboxes, tables, lists and captions. References, navigation boxes and external links are removed.
What if the target is a redirect?
Redirects count as the target. If the target is Mozart and you click a link to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — or a link that redirects there — you win.
Is fewest clicks or fastest time better?
Both are popular. The daily leaderboard ranks by clicks first and uses time as the tiebreaker, which rewards careful thinking over frantic clicking.