What is Sortem?
Sortem is a daily sorting puzzle that gives you a list of items and asks you to arrange them by a specific criterion. Each puzzle displays a themed set of cards with emojis, and you must drag them into the correct order based on a clearly stated metric shown in gray text below the instruction. The game uses a three-level feedback system—locked, close, or far—to guide you toward the solution without making it a guessing game.
How to play Sortem
- Read the instruction at the top, then check the gray line underneath for the exact metric that defines the correct order.
- Drag each card by its handle to rearrange the list until you believe the order is correct.
- Tap Check Order to submit your arrangement.
- Review the feedback: correctly placed cards lock in position, while incorrect cards show whether they are close to the right spot or completely wrong.
- Adjust the remaining cards based on the feedback and submit again. Each attempt is recorded as a row of colored dots below the board.
Reading the feedback
Each card receives one of three status labels. A locked card is in the correct position and stays there. A close card is in the right zone but must move one or two slots. A far card is entirely misplaced and belongs elsewhere in the list.
The colored dots beneath the board record your earlier attempts. Use them to compare arrangements and avoid making the same mistake twice. Your final score is shown in stars: three for solving it on the first try, two on the second, and one on the third.
Why the metric line matters
The gray text below the instruction defines what the game is actually measuring. Two identical lists can require opposite orders depending on whether the metric asks for population, area, founding date, or another property. The game never relies on ambiguous phrasing. If the instruction says "largest to smallest" and the metric specifies "by land area," then population, GDP, or any other dimension is irrelevant. Read that line before touching the cards.
Tips for fewer attempts
Use the close feedback to narrow your moves. A card marked close belongs near its current position, so shift it by one or two slots rather than dragging it across the entire list. Compare your new arrangement to the previous row of dots before confirming to avoid spending a star on the same error. If you know the rough order of three items but are unsure about the fourth, place the three confidently and use the feedback to locate the outlier. The star system rewards planning over trial and error, so take a moment to think through the order before submitting.
Modes and archive
The Daily Challenge updates once per day and displays its date at the top of the page. The Archive link in the top left corner opens past puzzles, letting you play older challenges or catch up on days you missed. Both modes use the same drag-and-drop interface and scoring system. Progress is stored locally in your browser, so use the same device to keep your statistics intact.
Common questions
How many attempts before you lose? There is no cap. The game uses a star scale instead: three stars for a first-try solution, two on the second attempt, one on the third. You can keep trying until you solve the puzzle, but each additional attempt reduces your star count to zero.
Does the game track statistics? Yes. A Statistics icon in the top bar opens a panel that shows your performance history, including total puzzles solved, star distribution, and streak data.
Does the site set trackers? The site stores an anonymous identifier on your device to measure puzzle difficulty. The rules panel states there are no third-party trackers or advertising.