Endless Runner tips: how to get a higher score

Endless Runner takes one tap to learn, but a good score needs steady timing as the speed climbs. Most runs don't end because an obstacle was impossible. They end because of one rushed jump. These tips will help you last longer and build a habit of clean, calm jumps.

Know the three things on the track

There are only three kinds of object, and each needs a different response:

• Blue blocks stand on the ground. Jump over them. A short tap clears small blocks. Tall blocks need a held jump or a double jump.
• Spiky yellow balls float in the air at head height. Don't jump. Stay on the ground and run underneath.
• Coins give 10 points each. They are a bonus, never a reason to take a risk.

The quick reaction is "if it's on the ground, jump; if it's in the air, stay down".

Jump later than feels natural

The most common mistake is jumping too early. You reach the top of the jump before the block arrives and land on it. Wait until the block is close, about one runner's width away at the start, and then tap. As the speed increases, the right moment moves further away, but it is still later than most beginners expect.

If you keep crashing into the front of blocks, you are jumping late. If you land on top of them, you are jumping early. Adjust in the other direction.

Use the held jump and the double jump

A quick tap gives a short hop. Holding your finger down, or holding Space, keeps the runner rising a little longer for a higher jump. Tapping again in the air adds a second jump.

Use the double jump as a rescue, not as your normal move. If your first jump was a bit early, a second tap can carry you over. If you spend the double jump straight away every time, you have nothing left when a mistake happens.

Read the spiky balls by their shadow

Every spiky ball casts a small shadow on the ground. When you see a shadow with no block on it, a ball is coming, and that is your cue not to jump. The ball floats high enough for the runner to pass under, but a jump into it ends the run.

The tricky moment is a block followed closely by a ball. Jump the block with a short tap, not a held jump, so you are back on the ground in time.

Drop down when you need to

Swipe down on a phone, or press the down arrow, to fall back to the ground faster. It helps after a big jump when the next obstacle is close, and it gets you under a spiky ball if you jumped by mistake.

Collect coins only when they're on your path

Many coins are placed in an arc above blocks, so a well-timed jump over the block collects them anyway. Ground coins under a spiky ball are free if you stay down. What costs runs is changing your timing just to reach a coin. Ten points is not worth a crash.

Stay calm as the speed climbs

The game speeds up the longer you survive, and that is when tension causes early taps. A few habits help:

• Look at the right side of the screen. You will see obstacles sooner and have more time to decide.
• Keep one thumb ready. Rest your thumb close to the screen so taps are quick and light.
• Breathe out on long runs. It sounds silly, but staying relaxed keeps your timing steady.
• Pause if you need to. The pause button above the game, or P on a keyboard, stops everything, and your run waits for you.

The gaps between obstacles grow with the speed, so every obstacle can always be cleared. If a run ends, it was the timing, which means you can always do better next time.

Practise in short sessions

Play five runs, then take a break. Timing games reward a fresh mind, and you will often beat your best score on the first run after a rest. Your best score is saved on your device, so you can always see what to aim for.

Ready for another run? Play Endless Runner now.