Letters and Numbers
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Television |
| Founded | August 2, 2010 |
| Fate | Put on hiatus in 2012; revived in 2021 as Celebrity Letters and Numbers |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Richard Morecroft (original host), David Astle (co-host), Lily Serna (co-host), Michael Hing (host, revival) |
| Products | Television game show, puzzle books, DVD |
Letters and Numbers is an Australian game show aired on SBS. The original host was former newsreader Richard Morecroft, accompanied by co-hosts David Astle and Lily Serna. The program is adapted from the French series Des chiffres et des lettres and closely mirrors the format of the UK’s Countdown, though it adopts a distinct title to prevent confusion with the Australian music show Countdown.
The show debuted on 2 August 2010. On 22 June 2012, SBS declared the program would be put on hiatus, with its final episode broadcast on 27 June 2012. Nevertheless, reruns continued to be regularly aired on SBS as of 2025.
On 5 July 2021, SBS announced a revival under the name Letters and Numbers, now hosted by comedian and journalist Michael Hing. This reboot, called Celebrity Letters and Numbers, brought back co-hosts David Astle and Lily Serna and premiered on 2 October 2021.
Gameplay
The competition features two contestants who face off in nine rounds organized into three segments. The first two segments each consist of two letters rounds followed by a numbers round; the third segment includes one letters round, one numbers round, and concludes with the conundrum round. After the initial commercial break, Astle shares insights into the etymology of certain words and expressions.
The contestant who wins a game returns to challenge a new opponent. Players achieving six victories retire as champions. Those retired champions with the highest total scores may be invited back for a special tournament at the conclusion of each series. Every participant receives a copy of the Macquarie Dictionary 5th Edition, signed by the hosts.
Letters round
A contestant decides how many vowels and consonants will form a set of nine randomly selected letters, with a minimum of three vowels and four consonants required. Contestants have thirty seconds to identify the longest valid word using these letters. Eligible words must be listed in the Macquarie Dictionary, including certain inflected forms; proper nouns are not permitted. Points are awarded at one per letter for the longest word, while nine-letter words—known as "Full Monty"—earn double points (18 points). In cases of ties, both players receive points.
Numbers round
One contestant selects how many "small" numbers (ranging from 1 to 10) and "large" numbers (25, 50, 75, or 100) will comprise six randomly drawn numbers. Each large number is unique, so no more than four can be chosen. Players attempt to reach a randomly generated three-digit target number within thirty seconds using arithmetic operations; only whole numbers are allowed.
Numbers are always arranged from right to left: small numbers first, followed by large numbers.
Scoring rewards proximity to the target: exact matches earn 10 points; solutions within five of the target receive 7 points; those within six to ten get 5 points. If contestants are equally close but on opposite sides of the target, both score points; no points are awarded if neither player is within ten.
Common informal labels describe number combinations:
| Informal Name | Large Numbers | Small Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Ratpack | Zero | Six |
| Classroom Mix | One | Five |
| Family Mix | Two | Four |
| Even Stevens/Perfect Match | Three | Three |
| Heavyweight | Four | Two |
Additional terminology includes "Kitchen Sink" for using all six numbers, "Scenic Route" referring to complex solutions when simpler alternatives exist, and "Tweaking," which involves adjusting large numbers by addition or subtraction before multiplying. For instance: <math>(100-3) \times 6 = 600 - 18 = 582</math>
Conundrum round
Contestants are given a nine-letter anagram formed by combining two shorter words, which they must decode within thirty seconds. The first participant to buzz in with the correct solution scores 10 points. Any incorrect response disqualifies that player from further attempts during the round, allowing the opponent to use the remaining time. If neither contestant solves it correctly, no points are awarded. In the event of a tie following the conundrum, additional tie-breaker rounds are conducted until a winner is determined.
Word Mix
Prior to the commercial break, an eight-letter anagram known as "Word Mix" is displayed for viewers accompanied by a spoken hint. After the break, the answer is disclosed. This segment does not influence the contestants' scores and is referred to as the 'Teatime Teaser' in the British version of the show.
Origin of Words
Immediately after revealing the solution to the first Word Mix post-advertisement, David Astle introduces an "Origin of Words" feature that delves into etymology, highlighting connections pertinent to the game.
List of series
At each series' conclusion, the top eight scorers are invited back for the finals. The overall series champion is awarded a trophy.
Fisher and Fernando, participants from Series 1, have been long-standing competitors since the 1990s in various mind-puzzle contests, including the Channel News Asia Scrabble Masters held in Singapore in 1999, where Fernando secured $25,000 while Fisher earned $10,000.
Following Series 5, reruns of previous finals were broadcast to generate excitement for the Masters series, which featured all grand final winners and runners-up except Alan Nash, who was replaced by semi-finalist Toby Baldwin.
Notes
Products
The Letters and Numbers puzzle book debuted on 1 December 2010, with eight editions released to date containing puzzles sourced from individual episodes. On 1 May 2012, the spin-off titled Lily's Number Puzzles was launched, concentrating solely on numerical challenges.
The DVD Letters and Numbers: The Masters, compiling all seven episodes of the Masters series, was issued on 4 July 2012.