How to find Kahoot! PIN

Updated

A Kahoot! PIN (game PIN, game code, or join code) is a temporary code used to join a live or assigned kahoot. The host generates and shares the PIN with participants.

If you're a participant, you cannot generate or look up a game PIN yourself. Ask the host to share the current PIN, join link, or QR code.

 
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How to find a PIN for a live kahoot

A live Kahoot! PIN is generated when the host starts a live session.

If you're the host:

  1. Sign in to your Kahoot! account and open the kahoot you want to host.
  2. Click Host live and choose your game mode and settings.
  3. Start the session.
  4. The game PIN will appear on the host's screen.
  5. Share the PIN, join link, or QR code with your participants. Participants can enter the PIN at kahoot.it or in the Kahoot! app.
🔗 If you are a new user wanting to set up your own games, you can easily create an account to become a host.

How to find a PIN for an assigned kahoot

When you create an assigned kahoot, Kahoot! generates a PIN that participants can use until the assignment's deadline.

After creating the assignment, you can share it with participants using the assignment PIN, direct join link, or QR code. Follow the steps for how to assign a kahoot in the web platform to create an assignment and share it with participants.

☝️ Solo play does not require a game PIN because you're not joining a hosted live session or assignment.

What to do if your Kahoot! PIN isn't working

If you have a game PIN but cannot join, first make sure you've entered it correctly and that it's still active.

A PIN may not work because:

  • The live game has ended. Live PINs expire when the session ends.
  • The host started a new session. Ask the host for the PIN currently displayed on their screen.
  • The assignment deadline has passed. Assignment PINs are only active until their deadline.
  • The host locked game joining. Once joining is locked, additional participants cannot enter even with the correct PIN.
  • There's a connection issue. If the PIN is correct and active, follow these steps to avoid connectivity issues.

If you're unsure whether you have the current PIN, ask the host to confirm it.

FAQ

  1. Where do I enter a Kahoot! PIN? Go to kahoot.it in a web browser or open the Kahoot! app and enter the PIN provided by the host. You can also follow the full instructions on how to join a Kahoot! game using a PIN, link, or QR code.
     
  2. How long does a Kahoot! PIN last? A live Kahoot! PIN expires when the live game ends. If the host restarts the game or starts a new session, Kahoot! generates a new PIN. We’ve updated the validity window for live game PINs/QR codes to 8 hours, based on user feedback and requests.
    This means the PIN/QR generated when you start hosting a live game is now valid for up to 8 hours. To ensure a smooth experience, we still recommend starting the live game when you’re ready to play and having participants join immediately to avoid any connectivity interruptions. An assignment PIN remains active until the assignment deadline set by the host.
     
  3. Can I get a Kahoot! PIN before starting a live game? No. A live game PIN is generated when the host starts the live session. You cannot generate or retrieve the live PIN in advance.
     
  4. Can I join a Kahoot! without typing a PIN? Yes. If the host shares a direct join link or QR code, you can join without manually entering the game PIN.
     
  5. Can I reuse an old Kahoot! PIN? No. A live game PIN is temporary and expires when the session ends. Starting another live session generates a new PIN.
     
  6. Can I find a public list of active Kahoot! PINs? No. Kahoot! does not provide a searchable public list of active game PINs. Participants need to get the current PIN, join link, or QR code from the host.
     
  7. How can I prevent unwanted participants from joining with a shared PIN? Hosts can use 2-Step Join to secure a live Kahoot! game. Participants must reproduce a tile pattern shown on the host's screen before entering the lobby. The pattern refreshes regularly, helping prevent people who only have a shared PIN from joining.
     
  8. If 2-Step Join is enabled, participants who use a QR code or direct join link must still complete the verification. Can I stop new participants from joining after the game starts? Yes. Once the intended participants have joined, the host can use Lock game joining to prevent additional players from entering, even if they have the correct PIN. This option and other controls are available in the live game settings.
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  • I want a refund because I'm dissatisfied. Despite creating 20 questions, I haven't had any success, yet I'm still being charged on my bill, despite already paying it.

    Avatar
    CDFR2019
    2

  • Hi CDFR2019

    Sorry to hear you're dissatisfied.
    From your description: "Despite creating 20 questions, I haven't had any success" I can't say why you haven't succeeded yet, but I would love to help you succeed and turn you into a satisfied Kahoot! user.

    Please contact us via the support request and we will try to help you: https://support.kahoot.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

    Avatar
    Lars from Kahoot!
    2

  • Hi, I am having difficulty with the Pin question.  I have tested my question twice.  The pins show on the participants phone screen but not on my screen (I have the host).  How do I correct this?

    Avatar
    ERSRRTeam
    2

  • Hi ERSRRTeam,
    When you present your kahoot live, you can not see the pin on the screen you're presenting/hosting with - only the players that have joined your game.
    Once they have finished the question, your hosting screen should show the correct area and all the pins the players have added individually.

    See this video and learn more about the amazing pin question type: https://youtu.be/eEqcLHCExzc?feature=shared

    Avatar
    Lars from Kahoot!
    3

  • Is there a way for participants to join a Kahoot once the Kahoot presentation is already started?? 

    Avatar
    Inactive user
    3

  • Is there a way to have a pin selected prior to starting the game? I would like to create QR code posters/printouts to the actual kahoot without having to have all participants type in the pin as some may not be able to see the screen at one of my larger events. 

    Avatar
    Inactive user
    2

  • Hi carissabasedow
    To your question: "Is there a way for participants to join a Kahoot once the Kahoot presentation is already started?? "
    The answer is: "YES" 🤩
    During a Live kahoot, users can join the running game via the pin information shown in the bottom of the screen during a live kahoot.

    Avatar
    Lars from Kahoot!
    2

  • Hi again carissabasedow
    To your question: "Is there a way to have a pin selected prior to starting the game? I would like to create QR code posters/printouts to the actual kahoot without having to have all participants type in the pin as some may not be able to see the screen at one of my larger events. "

    To answer your question: "The pin code is generated when you start your live kahoot, so you can not get the pin code before starting a game.".

    To offer a few suggestions to solve this here's some inputs you might find useful:

    • You can choose to assign your kahoot for an asynchronous (non-live) kahoot play. Once you assign the kahoot, this will generate a unique link and QR code specifically for this assigned kahoot. Users don't have to type in pin as the link takes them directly to the asynchronous kahoot.
    • Maybe it's possible to create a temporary landing page on a webpage, that you can then create a QR code for. In this temporary landingpage you can inform when the Live kahoot will be played and when the pincode and QR code will be added to this landing page. Then, once you start the live kahoot game, make sure that you update and add the QR code, link and pin code to this landingpage, so users can join it.



     

    Avatar
    Lars from Kahoot!
    1

  • Joyce

    Avatar
    Inactive user
    1

  • Is there a way to play Kahoot with a random person like an online quiz game?

    Avatar
    jaemwirapper
    1

  • Hello! Currently, Kahoot! does not offer a feature to play with random people online like a traditional online quiz game. Kahoot! games are typically hosted by a user who shares a game PIN with participants, who then join the game using that PIN. This setup is designed for live or self-paced games with known participants. However, you can play Kahoot! solo using various solo modes available in the Kahoot! app or web platform. These modes allow you to practice quizzes by yourself or with automatically generated players. If you are looking to play with others, you might consider sharing the game PIN with friends or colleagues to join your game.

     

    Avatar
    Kasia
    • Edited
    1

  • yas  

     

    Avatar
    s_harmoniebarnes
    0

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