Skip to content
manymini

Two truths and a lie ideas, one topic at a time Two Truths and a Lie

Deck
Players
4
Thinking time
Rounds
4 players · 1 turn each
  1. Add players

    Type 3 to 12 names, pick a topic deck or Mixed, then choose thinking time and rounds.

  2. Tell two truths and a lie

    The card gives you a topic. Say three statements about it out loud. One of them is false.

  3. Reveal and score

    After the debate, reveal the lie. Everyone who spotted it gets a point. Fool the whole group and you get 2.

Two Truths and a Lie at a glance

Players
3 to 12 (best with 4 to 10)
Game length
About 20 minutes a game
Phones
One phone
Where it works
In the same room, on a video call
Who it’s for
Friends, families and coworkers (clean, nothing 18+)
Price
Free. No app, no sign-up
Languages
English and Spanish

How to play Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie is the icebreaker most people already know, and the rules fit in one breath: three statements about yourself, one of them false, and everyone else guesses which.

The hard part is usually deciding what to talk about. Here, every turn starts with a topic card, and the phone keeps score.

  1. 1Type 3 to 12 player names. Pick a deck: Childhood, Food, Travel & places, School & work, Hobbies & talents or Random. Mixed draws from all of them.
  2. 2Set thinking time to off, 30 or 60 seconds, and choose one or two rounds. Each round gives every player one turn.
  3. 3On your turn, the card shows a topic, like “Two truths and a lie about: your first job.” If thinking time is on, use it to plan.
  4. 4Say your three statements out loud. The group debates and asks questions.
  5. 5Reveal the lie and tap everyone who spotted it. Each of them gets a point. If nobody did, the storyteller gets 2.
  6. 6After the last turn, the scoreboard shows who read the room best.

Two truths and a lie topics

All 180 topics in the game, sorted by deck. In play, each one finishes the line “Two truths and a lie about:” on a card. Skim them before a meeting or a party, or borrow a few for your next round.

Childhood · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about your childhood bedroom
  2. Two truths and a lie about your earliest memory
  3. Two truths and a lie about what you wanted to be when you grew up
  4. Two truths and a lie about your favorite toy growing up
  5. Two truths and a lie about games you played at recess
  6. Two truths and a lie about your childhood birthday parties
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about the street you grew up on
  2. Two truths and a lie about things you used to collect
  3. Two truths and a lie about a childhood nickname
  4. Two truths and a lie about learning to ride a bike
  5. Two truths and a lie about books you loved when you were little
  6. Two truths and a lie about sleepovers you went to
  7. Two truths and a lie about the best costume you ever wore
  8. Two truths and a lie about things that scared you when you were little
  9. Two truths and a lie about chores you had growing up
  10. Two truths and a lie about performing on stage as a kid
  11. Two truths and a lie about games you invented when you were young
  12. Two truths and a lie about hiding spots from your childhood
  13. Two truths and a lie about the best gift you got as a kid
  14. Two truths and a lie about things you believed as a kid
  15. Two truths and a lie about your childhood summers
  16. Two truths and a lie about your Saturday mornings as a kid
  17. Two truths and a lie about pets you had or wanted as a kid
  18. Two truths and a lie about your first trip to a movie theater
  19. Two truths and a lie about snow days and rainy days
  20. Two truths and a lie about what you did after school
  21. Two truths and a lie about superpowers you wanted as a kid
  22. Two truths and a lie about mischief you got up to as a kid
  23. Two truths and a lie about your best friend in elementary school
  24. Two truths and a lie about trips to the zoo or aquarium

Food · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about your favorite breakfast
  2. Two truths and a lie about foods you refused to eat as a kid
  3. Two truths and a lie about the strangest thing you've ever eaten
  4. Two truths and a lie about a dish you can make from memory
  5. Two truths and a lie about your pizza order
  6. Two truths and a lie about your go-to snack
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about a food you changed your mind about
  2. Two truths and a lie about how you build a sandwich
  3. Two truths and a lie about kitchen disasters you've had
  4. Two truths and a lie about a restaurant meal you still think about
  5. Two truths and a lie about your coffee or tea routine
  6. Two truths and a lie about your sweet tooth
  7. Two truths and a lie about a food you could eat every day
  8. Two truths and a lie about what's in your fridge right now
  9. Two truths and a lie about a recipe you're known for
  10. Two truths and a lie about your ice cream order
  11. Two truths and a lie about your spice tolerance
  12. Two truths and a lie about vegetables you love or avoid
  13. Two truths and a lie about the weirdest food combo you enjoy
  14. Two truths and a lie about a meal you cooked for a crowd
  15. Two truths and a lie about food you've picked or grown yourself
  16. Two truths and a lie about what was in your school lunchbox
  17. Two truths and a lie about street food you've tried
  18. Two truths and a lie about your baking adventures
  19. Two truths and a lie about your grocery store habits
  20. Two truths and a lie about sauces and toppings you put on everything
  21. Two truths and a lie about your perfect dinner
  22. Two truths and a lie about foods from other countries you've tried
  23. Two truths and a lie about your movie snacks
  24. Two truths and a lie about your favorite comfort food

Travel & places · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about the farthest you've ever traveled
  2. Two truths and a lie about your first time on a plane
  3. Two truths and a lie about a road trip you'll never forget
  4. Two truths and a lie about a place that surprised you
  5. Two truths and a lie about a place you visited as a kid
  6. Two truths and a lie about a souvenir you brought home
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about a time you got lost somewhere new
  2. Two truths and a lie about the strangest place you've slept on a trip
  3. Two truths and a lie about a famous landmark you've seen in person
  4. Two truths and a lie about camping trips you've been on
  5. Two truths and a lie about how you pack for a trip
  6. Two truths and a lie about something that went wrong on a trip
  7. Two truths and a lie about trying to speak another language on a trip
  8. Two truths and a lie about the best view you've ever seen
  9. Two truths and a lie about a long train or bus ride
  10. Two truths and a lie about a hike you've done
  11. Two truths and a lie about amusement parks you've been to
  12. Two truths and a lie about your hometown
  13. Two truths and a lie about a museum you've visited
  14. Two truths and a lie about a place you'd never go back to
  15. Two truths and a lie about a trip with friends
  16. Two truths and a lie about a festival or fair you've been to
  17. Two truths and a lie about airports you've been stuck in
  18. Two truths and a lie about places on your bucket list
  19. Two truths and a lie about a city you'd move to tomorrow
  20. Two truths and a lie about the hottest or coldest place you've been
  21. Two truths and a lie about wild animals you've seen up close
  22. Two truths and a lie about countries you've visited
  23. Two truths and a lie about your favorite spot in your town
  24. Two truths and a lie about a boat ride you've taken

School & work · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about your first job
  2. Two truths and a lie about your first day of school
  3. Two truths and a lie about your favorite teacher
  4. Two truths and a lie about your favorite subject in school
  5. Two truths and a lie about a school project you're proud of
  6. Two truths and a lie about your commute
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about your desk or workspace
  2. Two truths and a lie about jobs you had as a teenager
  3. Two truths and a lie about the most unusual job you've had
  4. Two truths and a lie about field trips you went on
  5. Two truths and a lie about clubs and teams you joined in school
  6. Two truths and a lie about a skill you learned on the job
  7. Two truths and a lie about your workday morning routine
  8. Two truths and a lie about your school cafeteria
  9. Two truths and a lie about the hardest class you ever took
  10. Two truths and a lie about doodles in your school notebooks
  11. Two truths and a lie about uniforms you've had to wear
  12. Two truths and a lie about a presentation you gave
  13. Two truths and a lie about a group project you survived
  14. Two truths and a lie about your lunch break routine
  15. Two truths and a lie about a job you'd love to try for a day
  16. Two truths and a lie about how you handle your inbox
  17. Two truths and a lie about a course or training you've taken
  18. Two truths and a lie about a science fair or contest you entered
  19. Two truths and a lie about a prize you won in school
  20. Two truths and a lie about your to-do lists
  21. Two truths and a lie about office supplies you can't live without
  22. Two truths and a lie about volunteering you've done
  23. Two truths and a lie about your school's mascot or colors
  24. Two truths and a lie about how you studied for big tests

Hobbies & talents · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about your hidden talents
  2. Two truths and a lie about sports you've played
  3. Two truths and a lie about instruments you've tried to learn
  4. Two truths and a lie about a hobby you started and quit
  5. Two truths and a lie about something you can do with your eyes closed
  6. Two truths and a lie about a skill you taught yourself
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about drawing, painting or crafting
  2. Two truths and a lie about your dance moves
  3. Two truths and a lie about games you almost always win
  4. Two truths and a lie about your singing voice
  5. Two truths and a lie about puzzles and brain teasers
  6. Two truths and a lie about a sport you'd love to try
  7. Two truths and a lie about your houseplants
  8. Two truths and a lie about a tournament or race you've joined
  9. Two truths and a lie about languages you speak or are learning
  10. Two truths and a lie about how you spend a free Saturday
  11. Two truths and a lie about a skill you're hilariously bad at
  12. Two truths and a lie about things you've made with your hands
  13. Two truths and a lie about your skating skills
  14. Two truths and a lie about your reading habits
  15. Two truths and a lie about outdoor hobbies you've tried
  16. Two truths and a lie about a party trick you can do
  17. Two truths and a lie about a skill you'd love to learn
  18. Two truths and a lie about your handwriting
  19. Two truths and a lie about something you know by heart
  20. Two truths and a lie about watching sports
  21. Two truths and a lie about animals you've looked after
  22. Two truths and a lie about a world record you'd try to break
  23. Two truths and a lie about your sense of direction
  24. Two truths and a lie about your memory for names and faces

Random · 30 questions

  1. Two truths and a lie about the view from your window
  2. Two truths and a lie about the last photo you took
  3. Two truths and a lie about your name
  4. Two truths and a lie about what you always carry with you
  5. Two truths and a lie about a weird habit you have
  6. Two truths and a lie about things you've never done
Show all 30
  1. Two truths and a lie about the oldest thing in your closet
  2. Two truths and a lie about a compliment you still remember
  3. Two truths and a lie about a stranger who made your day
  4. Two truths and a lie about your favorite kind of weather
  5. Two truths and a lie about your pet peeves
  6. Two truths and a lie about the best advice you've ever gotten
  7. Two truths and a lie about rules you live by
  8. Two truths and a lie about the first gadget you owned
  9. Two truths and a lie about a lucky number or lucky charm
  10. Two truths and a lie about your favorite smell
  11. Two truths and a lie about something you broke by accident
  12. Two truths and a lie about something you've done only once
  13. Two truths and a lie about the funniest dream you've had
  14. Two truths and a lie about something you lost and found again
  15. Two truths and a lie about your alarm clock
  16. Two truths and a lie about the hardest you've ever laughed
  17. Two truths and a lie about your dream house
  18. Two truths and a lie about a time you were really brave
  19. Two truths and a lie about your most-used emoji
  20. Two truths and a lie about your first email address or username
  21. Two truths and a lie about a happy accident
  22. Two truths and a lie about being mistaken for someone else
  23. Two truths and a lie about your favorite word
  24. Two truths and a lie about something you're weirdly proud of

How to write a great two truths and a lie set

A good set gets the whole room arguing. These habits help with any topic.

  • Build around your strangest truth. It makes people doubt everything else.
  • Make the lie boring. A dull, believable lie hides better than a wild one.
  • Match the three in length and detail, so none of them stands out.
  • Add real details. A number or a place makes any statement sound true, including the lie.
  • Stay on the topic. If the card says “your first job,” all three are about that job.
  • Share only what you're happy for everyone to know. Fun facts, not secrets.

Two truths and a lie examples

Sixteen sets to borrow or adapt: funny, for work, for students and kids, and for friends. Make your guess before you read the answer.

Funny: kitchen disasters

1. I once set off the fire alarm making toast. 2. I can crack an egg with one hand and never get shell in the bowl. 3. I put salt in my coffee by mistake and drank it anyway. The lie: 2.

Funny: weird habits

1. I say good morning to my houseplants, by name. 2. I eat pizza from the crust inward. 3. I count the stairs every time I climb them. The lie: 3.

Funny: strange places to sleep

1. I once fell asleep standing up in a long line. 2. I napped in a hammock at a camping store until an employee woke me up. 3. I slept in a blanket fort in my living room for a week. The lie: 1.

Funny: hidden talents

1. I can wiggle my ears one at a time. 2. I can whistle loud enough to call a dog across a park. 3. I can say the alphabet backward in ten seconds. The lie: 3.

For work: first jobs

1. My first job was walking four dogs at once. 2. I spent a summer selling ice cream from a cart. 3. My job title at a pumpkin farm was “pumpkin greeter.” The lie: 2.

For work: the desk

1. There's a tiny cactus on my desk named Steve. 2. I've used the same coffee mug for eight years. 3. I keep a snack drawer the whole team can raid. The lie: 1.

For work: job skills

1. I type about 90 words a minute without looking. 2. I learned some sign language for a job at a museum. 3. I can fold a fitted sheet into a perfect square. The lie: 3.

For work: the commute

1. I once rode the wrong train for an hour before I noticed. 2. My commute from bed to desk is eleven steps. I counted. 3. I've biked to work in the snow. The lie: 1.

For kids: pets

1. I had a goldfish that lived for nine years. 2. Our hamster escaped and lived behind the fridge for a week. 3. My dog rings a bell when he wants to go outside. The lie: 2.

For kids: school

1. Math is my favorite subject because it feels like puzzles. 2. I won a class spelling bee with the word “rhythm.” 3. I've read every book in our classroom library. The lie: 3.

For students: things I can do

1. I can solve a puzzle cube in under two minutes. 2. I can juggle three oranges. 3. I can draw a perfect circle without a compass. The lie: 1.

For students: dream jobs

1. At five, I wanted to drive a garbage truck. 2. I wanted to be a dinosaur. Not a scientist. A dinosaur. 3. I practiced reading the weather report in the mirror. The lie: 3.

For friends: travel

1. I've only been on a plane once. 2. A museum guard once walked me out because I was lost. 3. I missed a train because I was buying a sandwich. The lie: 1.

For friends: food

1. I put ketchup on scrambled eggs. 2. I've never tried a mango. 3. I once made pancakes in the shape of every letter of the alphabet. The lie: 2.

For friends: childhood

1. I had an imaginary friend named Mr. Pickles. 2. I cut my own bangs the night before picture day. 3. I was line leader in first grade all year. The lie: 3.

For friends: never done

1. I've never seen a shooting star. 2. I've never ridden a horse. 3. I've never stayed up all night. The lie: 2.

Need more? Our 150 Two Truths and a Lie ideas are sorted for work, friends, family and class.

How to spot the lie

There's no foolproof trick, but a few tells come up again and again.

  • Ask follow-up questions. True stories have their details ready. Lies need a second to build them.
  • Distrust the tidy one. Real life is messy, and made-up stories often sound neat.
  • Listen for hedging. “I think” and “maybe” tend to sneak into invented statements.
  • Use what you know. Check each line against stories you've heard before.
  • Don't skip the obvious one. Some players hide the lie in the most normal statement.

When nobody spots the lie, the storyteller takes 2 points, so a straight face pays off.

Variations: teams, video calls and a 10-minute icebreaker

The basic game fits most groups. These versions help when yours is big, remote or short on time.

Teams

Type team names instead of player names. On a team's turn, teammates split the three statements, and one of them is lying. Tap every team that spots the lie.

Video call

Share your screen so everyone sees the topic, and let the host tap the scores. Have people type their guess in the chat before the reveal.

Icebreaker in 10 minutes

Choose School & work, 30 seconds of thinking time and one round. Five or six people can all take a turn in about ten minutes, with no preparation.

With kids

Pick Childhood, Food or Hobbies & talents with 60 seconds of thinking time. Younger kids can whisper their lie to a grown-up first, so they don't forget which one it was.

When to play Two Truths and a Lie

It works anywhere people know each other a little less well than they think.

  • Team meetings and first days. It's a classic among icebreaker games, because everyone shares only what they choose.
  • Classrooms. Use it in the first week of school, or any time students need practice speaking and listening.
  • Parties and game nights. Play a round while people arrive, then move on to Never Have I Ever or Hear Me Out.
  • Family gatherings. Grandparents have the best true stories, and kids keep the straightest faces.

When the true stories start coming, keep them going with Get to Know You questions.

Questions

Is this Two Truths and a Lie game free?

Yes. It's free in your browser, with no app, no account and no sign-up.

How many people do you need to play?

The game takes 3 to 12 players. For a bigger group, play in teams and type team names instead of player names.

How does scoring work?

When the lie is revealed, everyone who spotted it gets 1 point. If nobody spotted it, the storyteller gets 2 points. The scoreboard appears after the last turn.

What are good two truths and a lie ideas?

Start with a topic, like your first job, kitchen disasters you've had or the strangest place you've slept on a trip. The game has 180 of them. Then pair one surprising truth with a believable lie.

Is Two Truths and a Lie good for work?

Yes. Every topic is easy to share with coworkers, and none of them touch health, money or relationships. The School & work deck fits meetings and team-building especially well.

Can kids play Two Truths and a Lie?

Yes. Kids from about seven can play, especially with 60 seconds of thinking time. Childhood, Food and Hobbies & talents are the easiest decks.

Can we play on a video call?

Yes. Share your screen so everyone sees the topic, and let the host tap the scores after each reveal.

How long does a game take?

Plan on one to two minutes per turn. Six players playing one round take about ten minutes, and two rounds take about twenty.

More games like Two Truths and a Lie

Get to Know You Questions worth answering
Never Have I Ever Fingers up, clean deck
Hear Me Out Defend the indefensible
Who Knows Me Best? The best friend quiz, for groups
Good for:Road trip gamesVideo call gamesIcebreakersClassroom gamesOffice holiday party games