Do you have what it takes to crack the code and make it out in time?
Escape rooms are popular live-action, interactive games where players work together towards a common goal – to find clues and solve puzzles to escape the room within a set time limit.
If you are looking for a fun new way to test your problem solving skills, head to your nearest escape room. With a mix of physical and mental challenges hidden within each room, plenty of obstacles are designed by game designers to keep you on your toes as you work together with your team to reach your goal.
But what puzzle types can you expect in an escape room? Let’s dive in then to find 7 common types of escape room puzzles.
- Word / Math Puzzles
Every room will have such common escape room puzzles. Basic number games, sudoku, number combinations, and crosswords which must be solved to get to the next escape room clue. But do not worry; you don’t have to break your head over a complicated math equation.
Word puzzles consist of different types of riddles, phrases, different types of patterns, word locks, logic, and clues to figure out the solution. Use your reasoning skills to put pieces of puzzles together and find a solution.
Many clues involve combination puzzles that mix word or text puzzles, math problems, jigsaws, logic puzzles, cryptic crosswords, and physical puzzles to form an escape room clue. Where are all the escape room geeks & enthusiasts?
Explore to find different escape room types. Discover common escape room themes.

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- Physical Puzzles
Certain puzzles require physical strength. But you do not have to be an athletic person. Standard physical puzzles include undoing knots and moving heavy or large objects. But remember that only physical strength is not enough, and skills, intelligence, and common sense will help you through the puzzles.
Explore more fun escape room puzzle ideas.
- Light & Sound Clues
The visual design of the room depends on the theme of the game, and accordingly, the light and sound are set. But remember, in these light and sound shows are hidden clues that are not obvious. Follow them smartly to look for anything remotely different or if they are pointing towards a particular direction. UV paint or black lights hide clues in plain sight and can only be viewed under dim lights.
Here are a few escape room puzzle examples.

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- Hidden Objects
Objects are always kept hidden inside an escape room. Things that can be hidden include keys, notes, small objects, tiny clues, and spaces under which they are hidden, and spaces include paintings, wall hangings, furniture, and secret compartments. Search thoroughly inside the room for clues, secret doors and hiding spots by removing every little piece in the room.
Discover exercises you can do to improve your skills in escape rooms.
- Mysterious Signs
Look for mysterious signs inside the escape room. Anything that catches the eye or draws attention or anything mysterious is your cue that something is hidden. Sometimes, they are used to divert you from your goal. So be mindful not to spend much time if you cannot decipher the clue. Do you have what it takes to be an escape artist?
Got a friend who loves to build escape room puzzles? Give them the gift of a BrainXcape escape room gift voucher!

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- Lock & Keys
If your escape room goal is to escape the room, then a key is to be found to escape the room. And keys are always kept hidden and are difficult to find. The lock is prominent, but the key will take you some searching inside the room. Scour the room thoroughly for secret compartments or solve puzzles that will take you to the key.
Discover the different types of locks for escape rooms.
- Ciphers
This is a popular form of delivering secret messages worldwide and is used by the military. Ciphers are encrypted or coded messages to be decoded by players to progress in the game. Two disks are rotated against each other, which gives a secret message when decoded. To read the message, you must convert letters on the outer disc to their equivalents on the inner disc.
For high-difficulty levels of escape game rooms, morse codes are also involved. Explore Caesar cipher and other encryptions.

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Before the game begins, pay attention to the game masters. It might contain clues that will be of help later in the game. Follow the storyline to help you solve the puzzles and give you hints. And lastly, keep your found clues in a sequence (in the correct order as found). Having a game plan or strategy also helps.
Cooperate with everybody on your team. Search for clues in the entire room without breaking anything. If you cannot solve a puzzle, move on to the next. If it is your first time playing an escape room challenge, choose a non-linear escape room for a better experience.
Suitable for all age groups, escape rooms make good team building events for family members, friends, and corporates, date nights, birthday parties, or any other special occasion. Solving an escape room isn’t that difficult altogether if you go for medium and easy difficulty levels and your team members come in with different skill sets.
Each escape room has a difficulty level that must be chosen wisely before booking a theme for a room. The difficulty level dictates whether the escape room puzzles will be easy or challenging.
But most importantly, do not forget to have fun!
Head to our facility at 160 Broadway, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10038, United States, at BrainXcape, to play an escape room in the heart of New York City and feel the adrenaline rush. Head to our website to book a room for a thrilling adventure that will leave your head spinning with excitement!
Cheers!