Resources for Puzzle Solvers

A curated guide to the best online forums, treasure hunts, CTFs, and learning resources for puzzle solvers, codebreakers, and cryptography enthusiasts.

Discussion Forums & Communities

Need help? Places to connect with other puzzle solvers, share your own challenges, and get help with tricky codes and riddles.

  • Reddit r/cipher – a forum for solving and questions about ciphers. Frequent cipher challenges.
  • Reddit r/codes – a forum for cracking codes and finding hidden messages.
  • Reddit r/puzzles – a forum for puzzle enthusiasts to share and discuss all kinds of puzzles.
  • Puzzling Stack Exchange – a Q&A site for those who create, solve, and study puzzles.

Capture the Flag (CTF) Competitions

Cybersecurity and hacking competitions where you solve technical challenges, “capture” flags, and learn real-world skills in ethical hacking.

  • CTFtime – lists upcoming and past CTFs with writeups.
  • OverTheWire – provides beginner-friendly wargames to learn hacking.

Armchair Treasure Hunts

Treasure hunts that can be solved largely from home using research, logic, and puzzle-solving skills, sometimes leading to real-world prizes.

  • Masquerade – the famous 1979 picture book by Kit Williams that inspired decades of treasure hunts. The book contained clues to a buried golden hare.
  • The Secret – a 1982 book by Byron Preiss with clues to 12 hidden treasure boxes in North America; only a few have been found. Fan site & forums track ongoing searches.
  • On The Trail Of The Golden Owl (French: Sur la trace de la chouette d'or) – a French treasure hunt started in 1993 with a golden owl prize. Solved in 2024.
  • TreasureHuntCache – a curated list of active treasure hunts (both physical locations and virtual).
  • Reddit r/ArmchairTreasure – a forum for discussing modern armchair treasure hunts.

(In)famous and Unusual Puzzles

Legendary puzzles and mystery hunts that have fascinated and challenged solvers around the world.

  • Cicada 3301 – an enigmatic online recruitment puzzle series famous for its cryptography and steganography challenges.
  • 11B-X-1371 – a mysterious, cryptic video released in 2015 featuring eerie imagery, coded messages, and speculation about its origin.
  • Kryptos – a sculpture at the CIA headquarters containing four encrypted messages; three have been solved, one remains unsolved.
  • Voynich manuscript – a mysterious illustrated book written in an unknown script, still undeciphered after centuries.
  • Zodiac Killer Ciphers – several encrypted messages sent to newspapers by the Zodiac Killer in the late 1960s.

Tips for Getting Started

If you're new to ciphers, puzzles, or online challenges, the sheer variety can feel overwhelming. Here's how to dive in without getting lost in the maze.

  • Join the Conversation
    Forums and Reddit communities are goldmines of advice, collaboration, and encouragement. You’ll learn faster when you share your progress and ask questions.
  • Learn the Tools of the Trade
    Get familiar with basic cryptography methods, common cipher types, and at least one programming language (Python is great for automation; JavaScript is essential for web-based puzzles).
  • Experiment and Play
    Many puzzles reward creative thinking. Don’t be afraid to try odd approaches, make wild guesses, or step away for a while and return with fresh eyes.

Learn and Level Up Your Skills

Resources to help you develop abilities in cryptography, ethical hacking, and programming — all essential tools for modern puzzle solvers.

Cryptography & Codebreaking
Programming (Python & JavaScript)
  • Futurecoder.io – free website to learn Python programming from scratch.
  • Learn-js.org – free interactive JavaScript tutorials for beginners to advanced level.

Bonus: Other Fun & Challenging Resources

Extra places to discover puzzles, games, and alternative reality experiences outside the main categories above.

  • ARGNet – news and analysis of Alternate Reality Games.
  • Braingle – a website to solve puzzles, brush up on your trivia, play games and give your brain a workout.
  • Boxentriq's own puzzle – can you complete this web puzzle?