Codenames Statistics in 2026
Codenames has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide since its 2015 release, making it one of the best-selling party games of the past decade. This article breaks down the franchise’s sales data, award history, digital player counts, edition timeline, and market positioning using verified figures from CGE, retail partners, and industry research firms.
Codenames Statistics at a Glance
- Codenames has sold over 16 million copies across 46+ languages as of 2025.
- Codenames Online reached 10 million monthly players at its pandemic-era peak in 2020.
- The franchise has earned 15 wins from 27 nominations across international board game awards.
- The global board game market reached an estimated $12.2 billion to $18.5 billion in 2024.
- Party and social games accounted for 40% of board game sales in the UK in 2024.
How Many Copies of Codenames Have Been Sold?
CGE confirmed the 16 million copies figure across multiple 2025 sources. Jared Kaplan, CGE’s North American Marketing lead, referenced the number in a September 2025 press statement tied to a Marshall University partnership edition. Earlier in 2025, Board Game Review and Meeple Mountain each reported the same figure when covering the Codenames 2025 Refresh release.
The game launched in 2015 and picked up speed after winning the Spiel des Jahres in 2016. According to Wikipedia’s entry on that award, a win typically pushes sales to around 500,000 copies — far above the 500 to 3,000 copies a typical release might expect before nomination. Codenames has been available in 46 or more languages since at least 2024.
Source: Czech Games Edition, Board Game Review, Meeple Mountain
How Many People Play Codenames Online?
The free browser version at codenames.game launched in 2019 and peaked at 10 million monthly players during the COVID-era surge in remote social gaming. The platform requires no account or download and supports custom word lists in 44 languages. Rooms can hold 32 or more players per team.
CGE also released a paid Codenames App in September 2024, priced at $4.99. It launched with English, Czech, and German support. By mid-2025, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese had been added as free updates. The app features asynchronous multiplayer, unlockable game modes, and thematic word packs. A Steam version was announced with all available languages confirmed for launch day.
| Platform | Launch Year | Model | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codenames Online (Browser) | 2019 | Free | No account, 32+ per team |
| Codenames App (iOS/Android) | September 2024 | $4.99 one-time | Async multiplayer |
| Codenames (Steam) | Announced 2025 | TBD | PC, all app languages |
Source: Czech Games Edition, codenamesgame.com
Codenames Awards: Full Breakdown
Codenames picked up 15 wins from 27 nominations between 2015 and 2017. The most notable was the 2016 Spiel des Jahres, widely considered the top board game award globally. Codenames remains the only original Czech game to have won it, according to CGE’s press materials.
Other wins include the Deutscher Spielepreis (2016), France’s As d’Or (2017), the UK Games Expo Best Party Game (2016), and two Golden Geek awards in 2015 for both Best Party and Best Family Game. The cooperative Codenames Duet variant, released in 2017, built on this reputation as a strong two-player option.
Source: boardgame.tips, Spiel des Jahres official website
Every Codenames Edition Released So Far
CGE has released 13 distinct editions and variants since 2015, along with expansion packs and a mobile app. The lineup includes IP tie-ins with Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter, and The Simpsons, plus gameplay variants like Codenames: Pictures (image cards on a 5×4 grid) and Codenames: Duet (a cooperative two-player mode). The 2025 Refresh updated the original’s word list using player data gathered from the digital platforms.
| Edition | Year | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Codenames (Original) | 2015 | 5×5 grid, 200 word cards |
| Deep Undercover | 2016 | Adult content, Target exclusive |
| Pictures | 2016 | Image cards, 5×4 grid |
| Disney Family Edition | 2017 | 4×4 grid option, Disney/Pixar |
| Marvel Edition | 2017 | MCU-themed characters |
| Duet | 2017 | 2-player cooperative variant |
| Harry Potter | 2018 | Cooperative, Wizarding World theme |
| XXL | 2018 | Larger format cards |
| The Simpsons | 2019 | Simpsons characters |
| Codenames App | 2024 | Async mobile play, $4.99 |
| 2025 Refresh | 2025 | Revised word list from app data |
| Back to Hogwarts | 2025 | Competitive house-vs-house HP edition |
| Marshall University Edition | 2025 | First university-branded Codenames |
Source: Wikipedia – Codenames, Marshall University News, CGE Blog
Codenames and the Board Game Market in 2026
The global board game market was valued between $12.2 billion and $18.5 billion in 2024, depending on methodology. The range reflects whether analyses include playing cards and adjacent categories. Global Market Insights placed the figure at $12.2 billion, while Polaris Market Research estimated $18.5 billion with a broader product scope. Fortune Business Insights reported $14.37 billion growing to $15.83 billion in 2025.
Party games sit in the second-largest sales category after strategy and Euro-style games, which hold a 28.4% share. Social and party games made up 40% of board game sales in the UK. Adult gamers — the core Codenames audience — generated 49.3% of total industry revenue in 2024. The projected compound annual growth rate through 2032 ranges from 8.3% to 10.58%. For fans of this genre, Codenames regularly appears on lists of top card-based board games and top board games for adults.
Source: Global Market Insights, Polaris Market Research, Fortune Business Insights via Icon Era
How Does Codenames Compare to Other Party Games?
The original Codenames is the #1 ranked party game on BoardGameGeek. It supports 4 to 8+ players on a 5×5 grid with word cards and plays in about 15 minutes. Codenames: Duet shifts to a cooperative mode for 2+ players with three assassins instead of one. Codenames: Pictures swaps words for images on a smaller 5×4 grid. All three share the assassin mechanic, where guessing the wrong card ends the game instantly.
The 2025 editions lowered the age recommendation from 14+ to 10+ based on years of player feedback. The Spiel des Jahres jury noted that the game’s simple rules paired with deep wordplay create a loop where one round frequently leads to another. Codenames Duet has also earned a spot among the best cooperative games for two players and is considered a standout limited communication game.
| Feature | Original | Duet | Pictures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Players | 4–8+ | 2+ (co-op) | 4–8+ |
| Grid | 5×5 (25 cards) | 5×5 (25 cards) | 5×4 (20 cards) |
| Card Type | Words | Words | Images |
| Play Time | ~15 min | ~15–30 min | ~15 min |
| Age (2025) | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ |
| Assassins | 1 (instant loss) | 3 (instant loss) | 1 (instant loss) |
Source: TheGamingReview.com, Spiel des Jahres official website
FAQ
How many copies of Codenames have been sold?
Codenames has sold over 16 million copies worldwide since its 2015 release, as confirmed by Czech Games Edition in multiple 2025 press statements.
How many people play Codenames Online?
Codenames Online peaked at 10 million monthly players during the 2020 pandemic surge. The free browser version requires no account or download.
How many awards has Codenames won?
Codenames has won 15 awards from 27 nominations, including the 2016 Spiel des Jahres. It is the only original Czech game to receive that honor.
How much does the Codenames app cost?
The Codenames app costs $4.99 (or €4.99) as a one-time purchase on iOS and Android. It launched in September 2024 and now supports 8 languages.
How many Codenames editions exist?
There are 13 distinct Codenames editions and variants, plus themed expansion packs released in 2025. Licensed versions include Disney, Marvel, Harry Potter, and The Simpsons.
