Game guide

How to play Higher or Lower

Population and area in turn: does the next country have a higher or lower number than this one? The chain never runs out: get them right in a row to build your streak.

▶ Play Higher or Lower

Endless
Population & area
Streaks

1.46 billion

The rules in 4 steps

1
You see a country with its number: its population or its area, as labelled.
2
Is the next country’s number higher or lower? Tap, then see the real number.
3
That country stays on for the next round, and population and area take turns.
4
A wrong answer only resets your streak. Keep going as long as you like.

Tips to score higher

Population and area take turns, so check the label above each round before you answer.
Big isn’t always crowded: Canada and Australia are huge but have fewer people than many smaller countries.
Small isn’t always empty: Bangladesh and the Netherlands fit a lot of people into little land.
The country on the right stays on for the next round, so remember its number.

Questions about Higher or Lower

Where do the numbers come from?

Recent official estimates for every country. Different sources differ a little, so two countries that are very close are never put side by side: populations always differ by at least 12% and areas by at least 15%.

Does a mistake end the game?

No. It only resets your streak, and every answer shows both real numbers.

How long is a game?

As long as you like: the chain never runs out, and a country doesn’t come back until many others have.

Is my streak saved?

Yes, in this browser: your current streak, best streak and how many you’ve got right.