How to play Gnome Runner

Your gnome runs along a garden path on his own. Your only job is to jump at the right time. Tap the game, click it, or press Space, the Up arrow or W to jump. Hold the button down to jump higher.

Jump over mushrooms, flowerpots, rocks and hedgehogs. Hedgehogs walk toward you, so they arrive a little sooner than you’d expect.
Watch for crows. After the first stretch of the run, crows start flying low over the path at jumping height. Stay on the ground to run under them, or time your jump so you’re not in the air as one passes.
Grab acorns. Some sit on the path and some hang high in the air. Each one is worth 10 points.
It speeds up. The garden gets faster the longer you last, and later on obstacles start to come in pairs.

Scoring

You score 1 point for every meter you run, plus 10 points for every acorn. The run ends the moment you bump into anything. Ranks go from Toddling Gnome to Garden Jogger (350 points), Speedy Gnome (800) and Legendary Lawn Sprinter (1,500).

Tips for longer runs

Tap, don’t hold, for low obstacles. Short hops get you back on the ground sooner, ready for the next one.
Save high jumps for acorns in the air and for obstacles that come in pairs.
Look ahead. Watch the right side of the screen, not your gnome. At high speed you need to react early.
Don’t chase every acorn. An acorn is worth 10 meters of running. Skipping a risky one is often the better choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gnome Runner free?

Yes. Gnome Runner is free to play in your browser on phones, tablets and computers.

How do I jump on a phone?

Tap anywhere on the game. Keep your finger down for a higher jump.

Can I pause a run?

Yes. Use the Pause button below the game or press P. The game pauses itself if you switch to another tab or app.