How to Play FLAMES Step by Step (Notebook Rules)
Follow these 4 simple steps to calculate the FLAMES relationship score between two names on paper:
- Step 1 (Write Names): Write your name and your partner's name side by side. Remove spaces and punctuation marks.
- Step 2 (Strike Common Letters): Cross out common letters pairwise. One letter in Name 1 strikes out only one matching letter in Name 2.
- Step 3 (Count Leftover Letters): Count all remaining uncrossed letters across both names together. This total is your count number (N).
- Step 4 (Circular Elimination): Count 1 to N circularly through F-L-A-M-E-S. Strike out the letter where N lands. Continue counting from the next letter until only 1 letter remains.
Skip the manual math?
Use our instant FLAMES calculator with step-by-step visual animation.
Looking for the mathematical algorithm & computer formula?
Explore our full breakdown of modulo-6 counting logic, pseudocode, and 90s game history.
What you need to play FLAMES
To play FLAMES manually, you only need three simple things:
- A sheet of paper (or a school notebook margin)
- A pen or pencil
- Your name and your partner's or crush's name
Alternatively, if you are using an online tool like our FLAMES game online, you only need to type both names into the input fields to see every step computed in real-time.
Detailed step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Write down both names
Write the two names clearly. You can use first names (e.g., "ALEX" and "EMMA") or full names with last names. Make sure each letter is distinct so you can cancel matching pairs cleanly.
Step 2: Cross out matching common letters
Compare the two names letter by letter. Whenever a letter appears in both names, strike it out in both places.
Step 3: Count remaining uncancelled letters
Add up all the letters that were NOT crossed out. In the John & Jane example, 2 + 2 = 4 leftover letters. This number is your counting key.
Step 4: Eliminate letters through FLAMES circularly
Write the word FLAMES. Start counting from 'F' up to your count (e.g., 4). The letter you land on is struck out. In the next round, resume counting immediately from the letter after the eliminated one. Repeat until exactly one letter remains.
Complete worked example: David & Sarah
Name 1: DAVID
Name 2: SARAH
Common Letters: 'A' (1 pair cancelled)
Leftover in David: D, V, I, D (4 letters)
Leftover in Sarah: S, R, A, H (4 letters)
Total Count: 4 + 4 = 8
• Round 1: [F, L, A, M, E, S] → Count 8 → eliminates 'L' (Remaining: F, A, M, E, S)
• Round 2: Count 8 starting from A → eliminates 'E' (Remaining: F, A, M, S)
• Round 3: Count 8 starting from S → eliminates 'A' (Remaining: F, M, S)
• Round 4: Count 8 starting from M → eliminates 'M' (Remaining: F, S)
• Round 5: Count 8 starting from S → eliminates 'S' (Remaining: F)
What the letters mean
Curious about the full acronym breakdown? Check out our dedicated guide on FLAMES Full Form & Letter Meanings to explore Friends, Love, Affection, Marriage, Enemies, and Soulmates in depth.