The GCHQ Christmas Puzzle has been revealed for 2025 – here are some hints to help you solve it
GCHQ has released their annual Christmas puzzle for 2025, even providing prospective codebreakers with some hints.
UK intelligence agency GCHQ has unveiled its annual Christmas Challenge which has been designed by schoolchildren, for the first time.
More than 500 schoolchildren entered the competition to design this year’s festive puzzle, which tests skills from codebreaking, maths and analysis to lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance.
Famously tricky, the winning Christmas cards were created by pupils from three different age groups, with GCHQ’s own puzzlers creating seven brand new puzzles to challenge people from around the UK.
For this year’s edition, groups are being encouraged to work together to solve the puzzles which require different ways of thinking.
Speaking about the 2025 Christmas puzzle, GCHQ’s chief puzzler, Colin, said: ”This year's Christmas Challenge features seven puzzles designed to test everything from codebreaking and mathematical analysis to lateral thinking and creativity – the same blend of skills our teams use every day to keep the country safe.
“We've designed the puzzles so that no one will find them all easy! Some will suit analytical minds, others require creative leaps or perseverance. That's entirely intentional – we want groups of classmates, families and friends working together, combining their different strengths to reveal the final festive message.
“With over 140,000 downloads last year, we know these puzzles bring people together over the festive period. All ages are encouraged to give them a go and remember puzzle-solving is often better as a team effort.”
Hoping to solve the GCHQ Christmas puzzle?
Here are all of the images which comprise the 2025 GCHQ Christmas puzzle:
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GCHQ Christmas Puzzle Hints
For those who have been struggling to solve the Christmas puzzle, the GCHQ have provided a few clues to help you out.
Puzzle 1
You might not have to look far for the special word.
Puzzle 2
The streams are rivers, and the driftwood is from one which flows in the opposite direction to the other six.
Puzzle 3
The start of the robber's route is straight forward.
Puzzle 4
I like my sweater and computer, but they aren't complete.
Puzzle 5
V can only be ONE thing, which leads you to R, which leads you to P.
Puzzle 6
SOMEONE HAS ENCODED the beginning of the message.
Puzzle 7
Each flag represents a 7-letter European country
If you feel ready to solve the GCHQ Christmas puzzle, you can head over to their website for more details. GCHQ have more puzzles and clues over on their social media pages, with those who are taking part asked to share their progress online.
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