How to host a live kahoot

Updated

Welcome to your comprehensive guide on running a live Kahoot! session. Whether you are engaging students in a classroom or leading a team meeting, this article covers all the technical requirements, setup steps, and tips you need to confidently host a live game.

What are the tech requirements for hosting?

Before launching your session, ensure you have the necessary equipment and connection for a smooth experience.

  • Device: You can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone running a supported web browser or the Kahoot! app.
  • Display: You will need a projector, a large screen, or screen-sharing software (like Zoom, Teams, or Meet) with a minimum resolution of 1024x768.
  • Internet: A stable internet connection is required. We highly recommend you test your venue network beforehand.
💡 As the host, you and your learners can use screen readers. The device will read out the question and answer text. Participants can also use the Read Aloud feature in our mobile apps.
💡 To further improve visibility and accessibility for your audience, you can also display questions on devices so participants can see both the questions and answers right on their own screens.

kahoot host

How do I launch a live game?

Starting your game only takes a few simple steps.

  1. Log in to your Kahoot! account.
  2. Open your desired kahoot from your Library or the Discover page.
  3. Click Host live to open the game lobby.
  4. (Optional) If you want to run multiple games seamlessly, you can build a playlist.
  5. If you are hosting virtually, share your screen using our Zoom integration or Teams integration.
    A screenshot of a Kahoot! game summary page for a quiz titled "Discover Scandinavia." The image shows the quiz description and channel inclusion details on the left, and three Kahoot session options on the right: a highlighted blue "Host live" button, alongside options for "Lecture" and "Assign."
🔗 Want to practice before your live event? Use the Preview option to see how it works.

  
💡 Found this helpful? Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more tips and Kahoot! tutorials!

Which hosting experiences can I use?

  • Classic -  everyone plays individually.
  • Accuracy - correctness weighs more than speed.
  • Team experience - designed for team play.
  • Professional - ideal for meetings and formal presentations.
  • Lecture - perfect for boosting engagement and learning in any lecture.
  • Student-led experiences- e.g., Tallest Tower, Color Kingdoms, Treasure Trove, Submarine Squad, Chill Art, The Lost Pyramid, Robot Run

How do I adjust game settings?

You can customize your live session at almost any point during the setup and game.

  1. Open the Settings menu by clicking the gearwheel icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  2. Adjust your preferences. You can change these options before selecting an experience, while in the lobby waiting for participants, between questions, and even adjust some options during active gameplay.
  3. Any choices you make will automatically persist for the next time you host.
     
🔗 For a complete breakdown of available features, check out our comprehensive guide on how to adjust live game settings.

How do I manage the live session?

Once you select your experience, the game PIN and QR code will appear on your screen.

  1. Share the PIN, provide the direct join link, or enlarge the QR code for easy scanning.
  2. Participants can join via kahoot.it, the mobile app, or by scanning the QR code.
  3. Click Start to begin the game.
☝️ Do not share your game PIN publicly on social media, as this can result in unwanted participants or bots joining your session.
🔗 Once your live session concludes, your hosting duties don't have to end there! You can easily review quiz reports to analyze player performance and track learning progress. If you want to extend the learning experience beyond the live setting, you can assign a web kahoot for participants to complete at their own pace, or simply share a kahoot directly with others so they can host it themselves.

FAQ

Q: Can I host a kahoot for free? Yes. Free account can host; participant limits depend on plan.

Q: Can participants join the game late? Yes. As long as the PIN is visible on the screen and you have not locked the game, latecomers can enter the PIN and join.

Q: How do disconnected players rejoin a live kahoot? If someone drops out, they can easily return. They just need to go to kahoot.it or the app, tap "Tap to rejoin game", and choose "Resume as [nickname]" to keep their score.

 ☝️ If a player chooses a completely new nickname when rejoining, their previous score will reset.

Q: Do I need to wait for everyone before clicking Start? No. When hosting in Classic, Lecture, or Professional modes, you can click Start whenever you are ready. Players can still join while the game is running using the PIN.

Q: How many participants can join? It depends on your account and subscription type. Read more here: How many participants can play a kahoot?

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  • Thanks for the article! It was real helpful!

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    oliverhann
    3

  • Thanks, everyone! Glad to hear you found this article helpful! Please contact us via this form: https://support.kahoot.com/hc/en-us/requests/new from the email connected to your Kahoot! account if you ever encounter any issues with your account or the app!

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    Leigh-Ann
    3

  • Thanks

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    maorigirl11
    3

  • Hi

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    e_simon_graham
    6

  • i like limabeens 

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    rapid_gorilla206
    0

  • do y'all play clash of clans 

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    rapid_gorilla206
    3

  • yea me neither 

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    rapid_gorilla206
    2

  • very cool

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    KAHOOT__1232286
    2

  • hi, thankyou

     

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    cheerful_goat712
    2

  • ty

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    lanadoesnails93
    0

  • hi guys

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    amazing_piranha3005
    1

  • hi guy how are you 

     

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    knowing_koala8885
    1

  • a warm welcome from me and my kiddos! hearts!

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    30mryan
    1

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