How to Play Bulls and Cows
Bulls and Cows is the pencil-and-paper code-breaking game, known in Chinese as 1A2B after its scoring.
The rules
- The secret is a string of different digits from 0 to 9: four by default, three or five if you prefer.
- Guess a string of the same length, also with different digits.
- The answer is xAyB: A counts digits that are right and in place; B counts digits that are right but in the wrong place.
- 4A (or 3A, 5A) means you've found it. Fewer guesses is better.
Playing on kawu
- Type digits or tap the keypad, then Enter. Used digits grey out while you type.
- The status line shows how many numbers still fit your clues.
- Hint suggests a guess that fits every answer so far, chosen to narrow the field fastest.
- The daily number (four digits) is the same for everyone.
Next, read the Bulls and Cows strategy. Prefer colours? Try Code Breaker.
Frequently asked questions
What do A and B mean?
A (a bull) is a digit that's right and in the right place. B (a cow) is a digit that's in the secret but in a different place. 1A2B means one digit is placed right and two more are right but misplaced.
Can the secret start with 0?
Yes. The secret is a string of different digits, not a number: 0 can be anywhere.
How many guesses should it take?
Four digits can always be found in seven guesses with perfect play, and usually in five or six. Three digits in about four; five digits in about seven.
Last updated 2026-10-20