Capture the Flag Game

Capture the Flag is the classic outdoor team game, played from above with a team of dino kids. Sneak across the field, grab the other team’s flag and carry it home before anyone tags you. You can play this capture the flag game online free in your browser with no download, on a keyboard, a mouse or a phone’s touch screen.

How capture the flag works

The playground rules are simple, and this game follows the common version:

• Two teams, two territories: a center line splits the field, and each team keeps its flag at the back of its half.
• Grab and run: cross into the other team’s half, pick up their flag and bring it back over the line to your side. That is a capture.
• Tagging: on your side you are safe and can tag anyone who crosses over. On their side, they can tag you.
• Jail: if you are tagged in enemy territory you go to their jail and wait there until a teammate runs in and tags you free. If you were carrying the flag, it goes back to its base.

Rules vary from one playground or camp to the next. Some groups play with no jail, some add safe zones. The game uses the common setup and offers a No jail option.

How to play

You are the dino kid with the white ring on the blue team, which defends the bottom half. Red defends the top half.

• Move: use the arrow keys or WASD. On a phone, or with a mouse, press anywhere on the field and drag like a joystick.
• Run: hold Shift, hold the Run button, or drag farther from where you pressed. Running drains the yellow run meter. If it empties, you walk until it refills a bit.
• Dodge: press Space, tap the Dodge button, or quick-tap the field for a short burst of speed. It costs some run meter and needs a moment to recharge.
• Carry the flag: touch the red flag to pick it up. Grabbing it refills your run meter, but you run slower while you carry it.
• Break teammates out: run into the red team’s jail in the top-left corner and touch a jailed teammate. You both get a free walk back: nobody can tag you until you reach your own side, and you can’t tag or grab the flag on the way.

The first team to 3 captures wins. If the 3-minute timer runs out first, the team with more captures wins, and an equal score is a draw.

Team orders

Your three teammates play on their own, but you can give orders: 1 or Def for Defend, 2 or Atk for Attack, 3 or Jail for Free jail. Press the same order again, or 0, for Auto, where two teammates guard and one heads to the jail whenever someone is caught. Sending everyone to attack leaves your flag wide open.

Modes and maps

• Quick match: pick Easy, Normal or Hard, a map and the jail rule. Harder red teams are faster and react sooner.
• League: six matches against six rival teams, getting harder as you go, across all four maps. A win is worth 3 points and a draw 1. Progress and the table are saved.
• 2 Players: share one keyboard or phone. P1 (blue) uses WASD, Left Shift to run and Q to dodge; P2 (red) uses the arrows, Right Shift and Enter. On touch, each player drags on their own half.

The park has trees and bushes to dodge around. On the beach, soft sand slows everyone except on the wet sand along both sides. The snowy field is slippery, so starting and turning take longer. The school yard has tires and a basketball hoop in the way.

Tips

• Wait for an opening. Defenders patrol back and forth. Cross when the nearest one swings away.
• Save your run meter. Walk up to the line and run once you cross.
• Free your team first. A team with players in jail has fewer defenders.
• Curve home. Run away from the nearest defender, not in a straight line.

FAQ

Is this capture the flag game free?

Yes. No account and nothing to install. Your wins, settings and league progress are saved in your browser.

Does it work on phones and Chromebooks?

Yes. On a phone, drag on the field to move and use the buttons below it; the page won’t scroll while you play. On a Chromebook, use the keyboard.

Can I pause?

Press P or Esc, or the pause button. The game also pauses when you switch tabs.

Is there any fighting?

No. Like the outdoor game, players only tag by touching.

Like running and chasing games? Try Tag Game for classic you’re-it chases on platform arenas, or Hide and Seek for another playground favorite.