Quick answer
How does the FLAMES game work?
In FLAMES you cross out the letters two names share, count the letters left, and use that count to strike letters from F-L-A-M-E-S in a circle until one remains. For Rahul and Anjali, 7 letters are left and the result is E, Enemies.
- Friends · Lovers · Affection · Marriage · Enemies · Siblings
- Step 1: cancel shared letters, one for one
- Step 2: count round FLAMES, striking out every nth letter
How do you play FLAMES step by step?
- Write both names, for example RAHUL and ANJALI.
- Cross out shared letters one for one: A and L. Left: R, H, U and N, J, A, I (7 letters).
- Count 7 round F-L-A-M-E-S and strike the letter you land on. Keep going from the next letter.
- F, A, S, L and M go out in turn, leaving E: Enemies.
How do you use the FLAMES calculator?
Enter your name and the other person’s name in the two boxes. The FLAMES calculator crosses out the common letters for you, shows how many letters are left and highlights the winning letter in F-L-A-M-E-S. The result changes as you type, so you can try nicknames or full names in seconds.
Capitals, spaces and punctuation are ignored, and the order of the names makes no difference. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.
Which FLAMES result do you get for each letter count?
Only the number of letters left matters. Once you know the count, the result is always the same. Here is what the FLAMES game gives for common counts:
| Letters left | Result | Letters left | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siblings | 7 | Enemies |
| 2 | Enemies | 8 | Affection |
| 3 | Friends | 9 | Enemies |
| 4 | Enemies | 10 | Lovers |
| 5 | Friends | 11 | Marriage |
| 6 | Marriage | 12 | Affection |
For example, Priya and Arjun share an R and an A, leaving 6 letters, so the answer is Marriage. Rohan and Sneha leave 4 letters, which lands on Enemies. If every letter cancels out, we show Siblings.
Frequently asked questions
What does FLAMES stand for?
FLAMES stands for Friends, Lovers, Affection, Marriage, Enemies and Siblings. The game predicts one of these for two names.
How do you play FLAMES?
Write both names and cross out the letters they share, one for one. Count the letters left, then go round F-L-A-M-E-S striking out every letter at that count until only one letter is left.
What happens if the names have no letters left?
If every letter cancels out, the names are identical in letters. We show “Siblings”, a common playground rule, but different players use different rules.
Is FLAMES real?
No, it’s a fun school game. Enjoy it, but don’t make any decisions with it!
Is FLAMES the same as the love calculator?
No. FLAMES gives one of six relationships from the number of letters left after cancelling, while the love calculator gives a percentage from 0 to 100. Both are games that use only the letters of the names.
Are the names I type in FLAMES saved?
No. The game runs on your own device, and the names are never saved or sent anywhere, so you can try any pair privately.