Categories (Arkadium)
Rate itSort a grid of words into groups that share a hidden category.
on arkadium.com
Categories is a word-grouping puzzle on Arkadium in the style of Connections, with a choice of board size. Each day brings a 3x3, a 4x4 and a 5x5 grid whose words split into three, four or five hidden groups. You have four chances per board, and a Reveal button solves one group after a short ad.
About Categories (Arkadium)
Categories is a word-grouping puzzle on Arkadium, the online games site. It follows the Connections pattern: you get a grid of words and sort them into hidden groups that each share something, from book titles and country names to wordplay such as palindromes and homophones.
The start screen offers two ways in. Daily Puzzle opens a menu with today's 3x3, today's 4x4 and today's 5x5, dated for the day. A 3x3 hides three groups of three words, a 4x4 four groups of four and a 5x5 five groups of five, so you can pick a quick round or a longer one. The second button, 500 Levels, is a fixed bank of extra boards to work through whenever you like.
On a board you tap the words you think belong together and press Submit. A correct group locks in; a wrong one costs one of four hearts. Shuffle rearranges the tiles, Deselect clears your pick, and a clock runs in the corner. Reveal solves one group for you after you watch an ad. The 18 October 2026 4x4, for example, mixed chocolate makers such as Ferrero, Hershey and Nestle with the four cardinal virtues and a set of words for being a little mad.
It plays in the browser on a desktop or a phone with no account needed. The page carries banner ads around the board, and Arkadium Plus, its paid membership, removes them. It suits Connections players who want more than one board a day and a choice of how hard it is. The same game also runs on AARP's games site.
How to play Categories (Arkadium)
- Press Daily Puzzle, then choose today's 3x3, 4x4 or 5x5.
- Tap the words you think share a hidden category.
- Press Submit: a correct group locks in, a wrong one costs one of your four hearts.
- Use Shuffle to rearrange the tiles or Deselect to clear your pick.
- If you are stuck, press Reveal and watch a short ad to have one category solved.
- Clear every group before your hearts run out.
Screenshots
Tips
- Start with the 3x3 to warm up: with only three groups, one solved set often gives away the rest.
- Look for a word that fits two groups, such as a chocolate brand that is also a planet, and leave it until last.
- Shuffle the tiles when a row of words keeps suggesting the same false link.
Questions
How many daily puzzles does Categories have?
Three a day: a 3x3, a 4x4 and a 5x5 board, all dated for that day on the Daily Puzzle menu. The 500 Levels mode adds more boards that do not change by day.
Do I need an account to play?
No. The daily boards play in the browser without signing in.
Does Categories have ads?
Yes. Banner ads sit beside or below the game, and the Reveal hint is unlocked by watching an ad. Arkadium Plus, a paid membership, removes ads.
Ratings and reviews
Games like Categories (Arkadium)
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The puzzle this one follows: sort sixteen words into four groups
Categories
CleverGoat's daily sixteen-word grouping game
Common Ground
Sort sixteen words into four groups that work in any country
Groups·16 (doce.games)
Four groups of four with four mistakes
Connections: Sports Edition
The same grouping game built from sports terms
Meldle
Find the two letters that complete four word fragments at once, three times over.
Connections: Soccer Edition
Sort sixteen soccer names and terms into four hidden groups of four.
Daily Connections (FreePuzzles)
Sort the day's 16 words into four groups of four.