What FLAMES stands for
- F – Friends
- L – Love (lovers)
- A – Affection
- M – Marriage
- E – Enemies
- S – Siblings
How to play FLAMES
- Write the two names and cross out every letter they share — one for one. If both names have an “a”, cross out one “a” in each.
- Count the letters that are left in both names together.
- Write F L A M E S and count round the letters, starting from F. The letter you land on is crossed out.
- Carry on counting from the next letter, going round again, until only one letter is left. That letter is your answer.
The FLAMES love calculator does exactly this and lists the order in which the letters were crossed out, so you can follow along on paper.
Every possible FLAMES answer
The result depends only on how many letters are left after crossing out. Here is the full FLAMES chart:
| Letters left | FLAMES result | Letters left | FLAMES result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siblings | 11 | Marriage |
| 2 | Enemies | 12 | Affection |
| 3 | Friends | 13 | Affection |
| 4 | Enemies | 14 | Friends |
| 5 | Friends | 15 | Marriage |
| 6 | Marriage | 16 | Friends |
| 7 | Enemies | 17 | Affection |
| 8 | Affection | 18 | Friends |
| 9 | Enemies | 19 | Love |
| 10 | Love | 20 | Enemies |
FLAMES — a school-yard classic
FLAMES has been played in classrooms across South Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond for generations — usually on the last page of a notebook. It is pure chance dressed up as destiny, which is exactly why it is so much fun. If you want a number as well as a word, try the FLAMES love calculator percentage.