To host a Gimkit game, log in at gimkit.com, open a kit (Gimkit’s word for a question set), click Play Live, choose a game mode, set your game options, and share the game code that appears in the lobby. Students join at gimkit.com/join with that code, and you press Start Game when everyone is in.
That is the whole process in two sentences. In practice, first-time hosts usually get stuck on the details: which options to choose, why some modes only allow five players, how to stop students joining with silly names, and what the different end goals mean. This guide walks through every screen in order, then covers player limits, free versus Pro, and how to run a session that teaches something as well as entertaining.
On this page
Before you host: what you need
- A teacher account. Sign up free at gimkit.com. You can host on the free plan (Gimkit Basic).
- A kit. Build one from scratch, import questions from a spreadsheet or Quizlet, or copy a public kit from the Discover page.
- A screen students can see, such as a projector, interactive board or shared screen in a video call.
- A device per student (or per pair) with a modern browser. Students don’t need to install anything.
A quick note on accounts: if you are a student trying to host a game for friends, Gimkit limits hosting from a student login to just five players, according to its player maximums page. For a full class, the host should be a teacher account.
How to host a Gimkit game, step by step
These steps follow Gimkit’s own “Host a live game” guide.
Step 1: Choose your kit
On your dashboard, click the green Play Live button next to the kit you want. If you are already inside the kit, use Play Live in the right-hand panel.
Step 2: Pick a game mode
The mode picker opens. Scroll through the options and click Learn More on any mode you haven’t used before. It gives you a quick rundown of how it plays. Click the mode you want so it is outlined in yellow.
Step 3: Click Continue
Use the Continue button in the top-right corner.
Step 4: Set your game options
This screen decides how the game starts and ends. You can connect a class, switch on the Nickname Generator, choose the game goal, and decide whether late joiners are allowed. The exact options vary by mode. Each one is explained in the next section.
Step 5: Open the lobby
Click Continue again. The Lobby tab opens and shows your game code on screen.
Step 6: Share the code
Leave the code on the projector. Hover over it to show a QR code, or click it to copy a direct join link you can paste into your class chat, LMS or video call.
Step 7: Check who’s in
Watch names appear in the lobby. In standard modes you can remove any inappropriate names before starting. In 2D modes, a toggle in the lower right lets you choose whether you join as a player or as a spectator.
Step 8: Start the game
Click Start Game. It is in the upper right for standard modes and the lower centre for 2D modes.
Teacher tip: run through a new mode once on your own (or with a colleague on a second device) before you use it with a class. Five minutes of practice saves a lot of confused hands in the air.
Game options explained
Gimkit’s game options guide splits settings into standard options (available in every mode) and mode-specific ones.
| Option | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Game goal | Sets what ends the game: time, a cash target, investigations, difficulty level, or number of questions answered (depending on mode) | Use a time limit to fit your lesson; use a cash goal for a race to the finish |
| Connect a class | Links one of your Gimkit classes so students join with their accounts | When you want results tied to real names and accounts |
| Join in late | Lets players enter after the game has started | On for stragglers; off if uninvited players keep crashing games |
| Nickname Generator | Gives every player a random name | When students choose inappropriate names (it disappears when a class is connected) |
| 2D balance options | Controls how many rewards each correct answer earns (snowballs, bait or energy, depending on the mode) | Raise rewards to favour gameplay, lower them to make students answer more questions |
The balance setting in 2D modes deserves extra attention. If each correct answer gives a lot of energy or ammunition, students answer a few questions and then spend most of the game playing. If you want more practice, reduce the reward per question so students return to the questions more often.
How students join
Students go to gimkit.com/join and type in the game code. They can also scan the QR code or click the join link you shared. If you connected a class and students are logged in to their Gimkit accounts, they can join straight away from gimkit.com/join.
A good habit is to write the join address and code on the board as well as showing it on screen, so students who arrive late or have a slow connection can still get in.
Running the game: the host controls
Once the game is running, the controls panel in the upper right lets you:
- adjust music and sound effects volume,
- show or hide the leaderboard,
- see the player list,
- control your own character if you joined a 2D game as a player, and
- end the game early with End Game.
If the class is enjoying a timed round, click the time remaining to add one more minute. Gimkit allows extensions up to a total of 59 minutes. When the game ends, either because the goal is reached or you end it, you’ll see the results, which are useful for spotting questions the class found difficult.
Player limits and free vs Pro
Player limits depend on the mode, the plan and the type of account hosting. Here is what Gimkit’s help centre states:
| Situation | Maximum players |
|---|---|
| Standard live modes (any plan) | 500 |
| 2D modes (any plan) | 60 |
| Pro-exclusive modes on the free plan | 5 |
| Hosting from a student account | 5 |
The five-player cap is the one that surprises teachers. On the free plan, Gimkit offers unlimited play in a rotating set of featured modes (core modes such as Classic and Teams are often among them), while other modes are capped at five players. This was explained in Gimkit’s “Gimkit goes free” announcement. If your class can’t all get in, the mode you picked is probably not featured right now.
Gimkit Pro removes that restriction and unlocks every mode, plus features such as image uploads, audio recording and assignments (homework). Pro is billed monthly or yearly, and schools can buy group licences, often by purchase order. Prices change, so check the current figure on Gimkit’s site when you upgrade.
Choosing a mode
Gimkit’s modes fall into two broad families:
- Standard modes such as Classic and Teams. Students answer questions to earn in-game cash, then spend it in a shop on upgrades (more money per question, streak bonuses and so on) and power-ups. It rewards both knowledge and strategy, and it works well for review sessions.
- 2D modes such as Snowbrawl, Fishtopia, Capture the Flag, Tag: Domination and Farmchain. Students move characters around a map and earn resources by answering questions. They are very engaging but can shift the balance toward gameplay, which is why the balance settings matter.
A practical rule: use a standard mode when the goal is practice and you want lots of questions answered, and save 2D modes for end-of-unit treats or classes that have earned some fun.
If you also use Blooket, the decision often comes down to age and attention span. Our Blooket guide compares the two platforms side by side.
Building better kits
The game is only as good as the questions inside it. A few things make a real difference:
- Aim for 15 to 30 questions. Gimkit repeats questions during a game, so a mid-sized kit gives students enough repetition to learn without boredom.
- Use plausible wrong answers. Distractors based on common mistakes make the results meaningful.
- Import instead of retyping. If your questions live in a spreadsheet or a Quizlet set, import them.
- Let students write questions with KitCollab. Gimkit’s KitCollab lets students or colleagues submit questions to your kit. You approve the ones you want, and they are added straight away. It turns question-writing into a learning activity of its own.
- Check copied kits. Public kits are a great time saver, but read every question before you host.
Planning your first hosted session
The first time a class plays Gimkit, the shop and upgrades can take over. Students spend more energy working out what to buy than thinking about the questions. A little structure fixes that:
- Explain the economy in one minute. Before you start, tell students that correct answers earn cash, wrong answers can cost cash, and the shop lets them invest in upgrades. That is all they need to know.
- Play a short practice round. Run a 3 to 5 minute game with easy questions so everyone learns the controls and the shop.
- Play the real round. Host your main kit with a time goal of 10 to 15 minutes. Leave the leaderboard visible if your class responds well to competition. Hide it if a few students are running away with it and others are switching off.
- Review the results together. Look at which questions caused the most wrong answers and go over them as a class.
- Close with reflection. Ask students what strategy they used. Those who bought upgrades early usually finish ahead, which is a nice way to talk about compound growth in maths or economics lessons.
For remote or hybrid lessons, paste the join link into your video call chat and share your screen so students can see the lobby and leaderboard. Ask students to keep the game in a separate window from the call so audio doesn’t clash.
Fixing common hosting problems
“Only five students can join”
You are either hosting a Pro-exclusive mode on the free plan, or you are logged in with a student account. Pick a currently featured mode, or switch to a teacher account.
Students can’t find the game
Make sure they are on gimkit.com/join (not the homepage search), that the lobby is still open, and that late joining is on if the game has started.
Gimkit won’t load at school
School web filters sometimes block game sites. Ask your IT team to allow gimkit.com. Students should not use proxy or “unblocked” sites to get around filters.
Uninvited players keep joining
Turn off Join in late once your class is in, connect a class so players need accounts, and avoid posting the code anywhere public.
The game is too chaotic
Switch to a standard mode, shorten the time limit, or reduce the rewards per question in 2D modes so students spend more time answering.
FAQ
Can I host Gimkit for free?
Yes. The free Basic plan lets you host live games, with unlimited players in featured modes (up to the general limits) and a five-player cap on other modes.
Where do students enter the Gimkit code?
At gimkit.com/join. They can also scan the QR code or use a direct join link.
How long can a Gimkit game last?
You set the goal before starting. During a timed game, you can add time one minute at a time, up to 59 minutes in total.
Can students host their own Gimkit games?
Yes, but games hosted from a student login are limited to five players.
Who made Gimkit?
Gimkit was created by Josh Feinsilber while he was a student at Gibson Ek High School in Issaquah, Washington, and it grew into a platform used in classrooms around the world.
For more how-to guides, see our explainer on how to search by image (useful for checking image sources before adding pictures to your kits).
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