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
- One clue is shown at start.
- Type a category guess (a word or short phrase).
- Wrong guess → another clue appears (up to five clues total).
- 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 |
| Archive | Pinpoint archive |
| 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.