How it works
How a quiz night runs on InstaQuiz
One person hosts from their phone and reads the questions out. Everyone else plays on their own phone, in the browser. Nobody knows who’s winning until the podium.
Updated 6 November 2026
Hosting
For the quiz master
1
Pick a pack
Tap Host a quiz and choose a ready-made pack. Each one is rated Kids, Everyone or Adults.
2
Choose the rounds
Tick the rounds you want, or tap Mix it up for a spread of questions from the whole pack, easier ones first. You’ll see roughly how long it will take.
3
Set the game up
Pick a timer (or none), whether the question shows on players’ phones and whether you’re playing too.
4
Open the lobby
You get a 5-letter code and a QR code. Players appear on your phone as they join. Connect a TV now if you’re using one.
5
Read, open, reveal
Read each question aloud, then tap Open answers. You see how many have answered, never who picked what. Tap Reveal to show the answer, then read out the fun fact.
6
Reveal the podium
After the last question (or the wager finale), tap to reveal third, second and then the winner. It’s a surprise for you too.
Playing
For everyone else
1
Join
Scan the QR code or go to instaquiz.app and type the 5-letter code. Pick a name. No app, no account and no email address.
2
Listen
The quiz master reads each question out. By default it shows on your phone too.
3
Answer
When the answers open, tap A, B, C or D. You can change your mind until the answers lock.
4
See how you did
After each reveal your phone tells you whether you were right and what you scored. Only you see it.
5
The podium
Watch third, second and then the winner revealed. Your own full results arrive after the winner and are cleared when you leave.
The rules
How scoring works
Speed scores
A right answer scores 500 to 1,000 points. Answer with the whole timer left for 1,000; just before it ends, for about 500.
Timer off
Every right answer scores a flat 750, so it’s about knowing, not speed.
The wager finale
Hear the category, then stake none, a quarter, half or all of your points. With fewer than 500 points you can still stake up to 500. Right wins your stake, wrong loses it. Scores never drop below 0.
Ties
If two players finish level, the one with the faster total answer time on their right answers takes the higher place, and the podium says so.
Void
Disputed question? The quiz master can void it at the reveal and nobody scores for it.
Hidden standings
No leaderboard during the game. It keeps everyone playing to the end and makes the podium a real moment.
What you need
A phone each
Any modern phone with a web browser, or a laptop or tablet. Teams can share one phone.
An internet connection
Wi-Fi or mobile data. If a phone drops out, it rejoins its seat by itself.
A TV, if you like
Optional. Open instaquiz.app/tv on a smart TV browser or a laptop plugged into the TV.
Questions people ask
How long does a quiz take?
About a minute and a half a question, so 30 questions takes around 45 minutes. The setup screen shows a rough time for the rounds you pick.
Can the quiz master play too?
Yes. Turn on "I’m playing too". You answer on the same timer without seeing the answer first, and you’re kept off the podium.
What happens if someone leaves?
They tap Leave game and you see that they’ve gone. In the lobby they can join again; once the quiz has started, their seat closes.
Can I remove a player?
Yes. Hold their name in the lobby or the player list and confirm. Handy for rude names.
Can we finish early?
Yes. End the game from any screen and show the results so far, or end it with no results at all.