Pinpoint is a category-guessing puzzle — five clues share one hidden category, and you guess what links them. You start with one clue visible; each wrong guess reveals another. This guide teaches category thinking, efficient guessing, and how to read clue patterns.

## How Pinpoint works

1. One clue is shown at start.
2. Type a category guess (a word or short phrase).
3. Wrong guess → another clue appears (up to five clues total).
4. You have five guesses to find the category.

Fewer reveals and fewer guesses mean a better score — but accuracy beats speed.

## Think categories, not items

Each clue is an **example** of the hidden category, not the category itself.

| Clue shown | Wrong guess | Right thinking |
|------------|-------------|----------------|
| Apple | "Fruit" might work | Is it fruit, or red things, or round things? |
| Cherry | — | Two fruits → category may be "fruit" or "berries" |
| Stop sign | — | Now it is not fruit — maybe "red things"? |

Ask: **what single label describes every clue I have seen?**

## Broad vs narrow categories

Pinpoint accepts categories at different specificity levels. Consider:

- **Broad** — "animals", "colors", "countries"
- **Narrow** — "marsupials", "shades of blue", "Nordic countries"

If a broad guess fails, the category may be narrower than you thought. If a narrow guess fails, try a broader umbrella.

## Use the first clue wisely

With only one clue, many categories fit. Do not guess randomly — wait for a second clue unless you have high confidence.

After two clues, eliminate categories that fit only one:

- "Apple" alone could be fruit, red things, or tech brands.
- "Apple" + "Banana" → fruit is likely; tech brands are out.

## Pattern types to watch for

| Pattern | Example clues | Likely category |
|---------|---------------|-----------------|
| Shared attribute | Red, Crimson, Scarlet | Colors / shades of red |
| Same type | Piano, Guitar, Violin | Musical instruments |
| Word play | Bark, Bark (tree vs dog) | Homographs / double meanings |
| Proper nouns | Paris, Rome, Berlin | European capitals |
| Phrases | Break a leg, Piece of cake | Idioms |

LinkedIn Pinpoint dailies often use clever or slightly abstract categories — think flexibly.

## Guess timing

| Clues visible | Strategy |
|---------------|----------|
| 1 | Hold unless very confident |
| 2 | Narrow to 2–3 categories; guess if one dominates |
| 3 | Strong guess — you still have guesses left |
| 4–5 | Must guess — use process of elimination |

## Wrong guesses are information

A rejected guess tells you the category is **not** what you thought. Revise your mental list:

- Cross off the failed category.
- Re-read all visible clues for a different linking theme.
- Consider homonyms, abbreviations, and pop-culture references.

## Practice path

| Step | Link |
|------|------|
| Rules | [Pinpoint how-to-play](/pinpoint/how-to-play) |
| Archive | [Pinpoint archive](/pinpoint/archive) |
| Solutions | [Puzzle solutions](/puzzle-solutions) |

Pinpoint rewards lateral thinking. The best solvers brainstorm three possible categories after every new clue, then eliminate — not latch onto the first idea.