Is Thin Air free?
Yes. There is nothing to buy and no account to make. The site runs on ads, and you choose whether they are personalised in the cookie settings. Nothing ad-related loads until you have chosen.
Do I need an account?
No. Your scores and settings are saved in your own browser. The downside is that clearing your browser data, or switching device or browser, starts you fresh.
When does a new daily start?
At midnight US Eastern time (New York), for everyone at the same moment. That is the one clock for the daily flight and for streaks. In the UK that is 5 am (4 am in the weeks when the clocks differ); on the US West Coast it is 9 pm.
Why can I only play each daily once?
So everyone gets one shot at the same seven prompts. Past days stay playable from the Archive, also once each.
Why was my answer rejected?
Either it is not in the answer list for that prompt, it is spelled too differently from a real answer, or it does not belong in the category. If you think a real answer is missing, send it to us with the prompt.
Why did my unusual answer score so low?
The score looks at how obvious an answer is for that prompt and how rare the word is, not at how clever it feels. Our estimates are not perfect. Read how it works, then tell us if you spot a mistake.
What does “you beat N% of flights” mean?
It compares your daily total with everyone else's total for that date, once enough people (50) have flown it. Only the score numbers are counted, never answers. Your answers are still scored the same way for everyone, in advance. See Privacy for exactly what is sent.
Is the scoring based on what other players say?
No. Scores are fixed in advance and never use other players’ answers.
What is the “More time” setting?
It gives you 60 seconds instead of 25 per prompt. It is meant as an accessibility option. Shared results from these runs are marked as assisted.
How do streaks work?
Finish the daily flight on its own date (US Eastern) and your streak grows by one. Miss a date and it resets. Archive flights are free to play but never count towards a streak. Your streak and stats are kept only in your browser; see Your stats in the settings menu.
What is the Unlimited mode?
Five random prompts per round, as many rounds as you want, with your best score kept on your device. It does not use up your daily play.
How are ads handled?
Ads appear only on the start and results screens, never during a prompt or the climb. You choose personalised (Accept) or non-personalised (Reject); the site is free because of ads, so there are ads either way. Non-personalised ads can still use basic cookies in some regions for limiting repeats and preventing fraud, and in the EEA, UK and Switzerland we do not serve ads until a certified consent platform is installed. Nothing ad-related loads until you have chosen, and you can change your mind any time with the Your privacy choices link.
What data do you collect?
None that identifies you. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I tip?
Tips are optional and never expected. See the tip jar.
I found a bug or have an idea
Please use the contact page.