How Chainle scoring works

Each round scores 0–1,000 points, with a maximum of 5,000 across five rounds. Different valid answers can receive different scores based on their connections to the clues.

Where do the scores come from?

The game reads precomputed semantic connection data in your browser and applies fixed scoring rules. It does not ask a generative AI service to judge your answer live. English, Chinese and practice modes use their own data.

How are connections combined?

Each connection is converted to a strength between 0 and 1. Two-clue rounds use a harmonic mean, so a weak connection can substantially lower the score. Three-clue rounds adjust the weakest connection before combining the strengths. Single-clue rounds use one connection. Some puzzles also define minimum strengths for specified answers.

What do the mosaic pieces represent?

Each clue has up to eight mosaic pieces, rounded from its connection strength. Points use the unrounded strengths rather than the total number of pieces. Answers showing the same number of pieces can therefore score differently.

Can a reasonable answer score poorly?

Semantic data may miss wordplay, uncommon meanings or cultural context. A low score means the connection is weaker in this scoring system; it does not necessarily make your explanation meaningless.

Answer rank and player rank

The answer rank compares eligible words for that round, not other players. The daily leaderboard compares first completed totals for the same date and language, with tied scores sharing a rank. Connection-strength values are not player percentiles.