209 How, What & Why Riddles With Answers
Riddles that open with a direct question - how, what, why - and get their effect from the fact that the question sounds like it has a factual answer when it does not.
They are the quickest format to read aloud and the easiest to remember, which is why so many of the riddles everyone knows are shaped this way. Every one has its answer here.
Many things can create one, it can be of any shape or size, it is created for various reasons, and it can shrink or grow with time. What is it?
Holes can be dug, punched, or worn into anything, come in any shape or size, and can widen or close up over time.
In olden days, the student of logic was given this problem: If half of 5 were 3, what would one-third of 10 be?
If half of 5 is redefined as 3 (i.e. the usual value plus one), then applying the same adjusted proportion to one-third of 10 gives 4.
If I say I am lying, am I telling the truth?
This is the classic liar paradox: the statement cannot be consistently true or false, so it has no logical answer.
Why are 1990 dollar bills worth more than 1989 dollar bills?
The riddle is simple arithmetic in disguise: 1990 individual bills are worth more than 1989 individual bills simply because there is one more bill.
I am known everywhere as a criminal, yet I have never done anything illegal. I always have an inside angle on you, and there are two of me for every one of you. What am I?
The 'crook' of your elbow shares its name with a criminal (a crook), forms an inside angle, and every person has two of them, one per arm.
Whiling away the hours of flowers, Walking through fields of gold. Preening and pruning in lights fading hours, For petals to freeze in the cold. What is it?
The imagery moves through spring flowers, golden summer fields, autumn pruning as light fades, and finally frozen winter petals — the four seasons.
What two reasons why whispering in company is not proper?
The riddle relies on two puns: 'not aloud' sounds like 'not allowed,' and 'private earing' sounds like 'privateering,' a form of piracy.
Why is a manhole cover round and not square? Can you guess the two reasons?
A circle's constant width means it can never tip and fall through its own hole, and it can be rolled easily to move it, unlike a square cover.
I am coming here with a sense of unity and a cup of tea. What am I forming?
The pun hides the word 'community' by splitting it into 'come,' 'unity,' and 'tea' (a cup of tea).
Thursday, Nick and Rick went to a restaurant for dinner. The bill came out to $27. Nick and Rick each paid $9…but then, who paid the remaining $9?
'Thursday' is actually the name of a third friend at dinner, not the day of the week, so Thursday paid the remaining nine dollars.
In this place, people lie, people cry, and people ask why. In this place, people sleep, people weep, and people's solitude, they keep. What is it?
'Lie' and 'sleep' both play on lying down in a grave, while 'cry,' 'weep,' and 'solitude' describe mourners visiting a cemetery.
I cease to be after I commence, Here I am, then back once more. A simple treat for another sense. Given, taken, or stolen, a thing you can't ignore. What am I?
A glance ends the instant it happens, is quick to give or receive, and is a small visual gesture directed at someone.
Where once there were many, now there are none. Time has done ticking; the hours are done. For now is an end, but also beginning, For darkest is now, but soon shall be thinning. What is it?
Midnight marks the end of one day's hours and the start of the next, is the darkest point of night, and the darkness begins fading afterward.
My veins of green may go unseen, Til on the ground I lay around. What am I?
Leaves have visible green veins that carry water and nutrients, and are most noticed once they've fallen and lie scattered on the ground.
Every country has one, though we are not the same. Waving to our citizens, throughout the wind and rain. What is it?
Every nation has its own unique flag that physically waves in the wind as a symbol to its people.
I make hair stand on end, whisper between radio stations, and yet I refuse to change. What am I?
Static electricity causes hair to stand up, and 'static' is also the hissing noise heard between radio stations — and the word 'static' itself means unchanging.
Adored by few, Feared and hated by many. Mistress of the entire universal reason, Master in the art of numbers. Some may have solved many of your mysteries, But there still much of them to find. What are they?
Math governs the fundamental rules of numbers and reasoning in the universe, is loved by few and dreaded by many students, and still holds unsolved mysteries.
I can provide a blessing, a curse, or clarity. I am always running, but I am stuck in a loop. And though I will rule you for most of your life, you will always look up to me. What am I?
A clock's hands 'run' in an endless loop, it governs your daily schedule, and it is traditionally mounted high on a wall, so you look up at it.
I peel to heal this pain I feel. What am I?
As sunburned skin heals, the damaged outer layer peels away, which is the process described in the rhyme.
Which word does not belong with the others? niart, emag, tluda, mom, dad, mistag, yub, or sega
Reading each word backward gives a real English word except 'mistag,' which reversed spells the nonsense word 'gatsim.'
You use me everyday but let me rest at night. I have an identical twin beside me all the time. For some reason you always cover me up. I am not alive but I have a soul. What am I?
Feet are used all day and rest at night, come in an identical pair, are covered by shoes, and each has a 'sole' (soul pun).
Oh, what a surprise! Oh, what a miracle! It sprouted without a seed, It stood without a trunk. What is it?
The riddle poetically describes the Earth's mysterious formation, sprouting into existence without a seed and standing without a visible support.
A forest exists somewhere on Earth. This forest has no life except for trees. After a storm, a tree was hit by lightning and falls. What sound would it make?
This is the classic philosophical riddle: with no living creature present to perceive it, whether the falling tree technically makes a 'sound' is debatable, and the riddle takes the position that sound requires a listener.
Which is the largest room in the world?
'Room for improvement' is a figure of speech describing limitless potential to get better, making it figuratively the largest 'room.'
A rubber ball is tossed off the top of a 90 foot building. Every time it bounces, it goes back up half way. How many bounces will the ball take before it stops?
If it always rebounds exactly half the remaining height, mathematically it approaches zero but never truly reaches a final stop, making the bounces infinite in an idealized sense.
Where on Earth do the winds always blow from the South?
Standing exactly at the North Pole, every direction you face is south, so any wind must be blowing from the south.
What is the best way to get from earth to mars?
Wordplay — breaking the word "planet" into "plan it," good advice for any journey.
What is the difference between the North Pole and the South Pole?
This is a play on words: literally, 'all the difference in the world' separates two opposite points on the globe.
What's the greatest worldwide use of cowhide?
The straightforward, literal answer is that cowhide's main use is simply covering the cow it grew on.
Why is the largest city in Ireland likely to be the largest city in the world?
Wordplay — "Dublin" sounds like "doubling," implying constant exponential growth.
Mr. Crocker's mom gave him a present for his birthday. This gift was special, since his name was known around the world. What was the gift?
Wordplay — "Crock-pot" contains the family name "Crocker," making it a fitting, personalized gift.
I'm from the Old World, and my name from Latin; I can be cured, or served with au gratin. What am I?
The word "beef" derives from Latin, cattle originated in the Old World, and beef can be cured, like corned beef, or served au gratin.
Which is lighter, the sun or the earth?
Wordplay — "light" as in "rises," not as in weighing less, is the sense used, since the sun visibly rises every day.
Endlessly, I hunger, Lazily, I sleep. Murderous, I thunder, Desires, I do seek. Hoarding countless treasures, so my stature I retain, Envious of others whose feet on Earth remain. What am I?
Each line encodes one of the seven deadly sins in order: gluttony, sloth, wrath, lust, greed, pride, and envy.
My first is appropriate, my second 'tis nine to one if you guess it. My whole elevates the sole above the earth. What am I?
"Pat" means fitting or appropriate, and "ten" plays on odds of "nine to one," combining into "patten," an old shoe device that raised the foot off muddy ground.
I'm an object; good at drawing. I draw without using any drawing instrument, yet I can draw even better and faster than the world's best artist. But what I will draw won't stay permanent and what I draw may see me or not. What am I?
A mirror instantly "draws" a perfect reflection without tools, though the image vanishes the moment you look away.
What can emit an umbra on the earth, provide phosphorescence for all it's creatures. All while altering the visual surface of itself within phases?
The moon casts a shadow (umbra) during eclipses, glows faintly (phosphorescence-like) at night, and its visible shape changes through lunar phases.
What song can everyone in the world sing?
"Happy Birthday to You" is one of the most universally known songs across cultures and languages.
On Earth, I am dead, Though I live on the moon. I am in no crater, And I'm in every boom. What am I?
A wordplay riddle built around the letter "O" — present in "moon" and "boom," but absent from "Earth," "dead," and "crater."
I shake, but unlike the strength of an earthquake. You can find me both high and low, usually out of control. I can be considered both good or bad, sometimes used for both happy or sad. What am I?
A singer's vocal pitch can "shake" with vibrato, rising and falling emotionally, unlike the destructive shaking of an earthquake.
I have no eyes, no legs or ears, and I help move the earth. What am I?
A blind, legless earthworm constantly tunnels through soil, turning and aerating the earth as it moves.
Even though the odds are always in favor of the gambling house, why does the establishment insist on a house limit on stakes?
Betting limits protect the casino from a gambler's doubling strategy, which could theoretically bankrupt the house given unlimited funds and no cap.
I create my lair with earthen string, and dispatch my prey with a biting sting. What am I?
A spider spins web "string" to trap and bite its prey.
I am older than earth and am still living. I am a person. What am I?
Wordplay — anyone claiming to be "older than earth" while alive must be lying, making them literally "a liar."
You cannot touch me. I cause anger and illness. My remedy is tangible. It spreads happiness throughout the world everyday. What am I?
Hunger is an intangible feeling that causes irritability and sickness, but it's cured by the very tangible, joy-spreading act of food.
Where can you see the world but the world can't see you?
Television lets you watch events happening across the globe, but the people on screen can't see you watching.
There were two scientists who were looking through the woods. They found two people on the ground who where dead. They examined the two people and said they were the first people on earth. How did they know?
Without a mother, the first humans, like Adam and Eve, would never have had umbilical cords, and therefore no belly buttons.
I lie in the earth, and under the ground; A map may reveal me for journey's abound; I can be found in squares, to reduce down to size; Or at the end of a strand, where attachment lies. What am I?
Roots grow underground, can appear on certain diagrams, exist in mathematical "square roots," and anchor the end of a hair strand.
What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?
A postage stamp sits in the corner of an envelope, yet it travels wherever the mail goes, potentially around the world.
They can be harbored, but few hold water, You can nurse them, but only by holding them against someone else, You can carry them, but not with your arms, You can bury them, but not in the earth. What are they?
You "harbor" a grudge emotionally, "carry" it in your feelings, and can only get rid of it by "burying" the resentment, not an object.
Which is the biggest jam in the world?
Wordplay — "jam" can mean a fruit preserve or, here, a massive traffic congestion.
I came to prominence in the world during a time of trouble. I brought people together but helped keep them apart. I sound like I should go fast, but I am well known for taking too long to finish. What am I?
Zoom meetings became prominent during the pandemic, connected people remotely while keeping them physically apart, and were notorious for running long.
I hold a thousand voices, yet not one sound I make. I open doors to worlds though I never roam or break. In lines I travel paths, but never take a step. When you seek new places, I am the map you've kept. What am I?
A book contains countless characters' 'voices' in silent text, and its lines of print lead readers to new imagined worlds.
I am black of eye and bright of hair. I fast in to the ground and follow my lord as he races around the world. What am I?
A sunflower has a dark central 'eye' and bright yellow petals, is rooted in the ground, and turns to follow the sun ('lord') across the sky.
I come to you shattered and broken; And though not a word will be spoken; I will reveal to you, a world all anew; If you've the patience to make me unbroken. What am I?
A jigsaw puzzle starts as scattered broken pieces that, once assembled patiently, reveal a complete picture.
I am a contained world that you can shake but please don't drop me because I may break. What am I?
A snow globe holds a miniature scene inside glass that swirls with "snow" when shaken but shatters if dropped.
Many always do say that I am life. I occupy most part of the earth surface, yet I'm found in you. What am I?
Water covers most of Earth's surface and makes up a large percentage of the human body, essential for life.
What has 1 in every corner, 2 in every room, but only 1 in the world?
The letter "o" appears once in "corner," twice in "room," and once in "world."
What is the most slippery country in the world?
Wordplay — "Greece" sounds like "grease," something slippery.
I am hewn from Earth and Fire; But to the sky, I aspire. I am nothing but contented; Until my patient rage is vented. What am I?
A volcano is formed from molten earth, sends its eruption skyward, and stays dormant and calm until its built-up pressure finally releases.
What won't break if you throw it off the highest building in the world, but will break if you place it in the ocean?
A tissue simply flutters down harmlessly from a fall, but it disintegrates ('breaks apart') once wet in the ocean.
Which is the most shocking city in the world?
Wordplay — "electricity" sounds like "electri-city," a shockingly named city.
What was the biggest island in the world before the discovery of Australia by Captain Cook?
A trick question — discovering something doesn't change its size; Australia was already the largest island before anyone found it.
I give you all the money in the world but I receive nothing. What am I?
Paper money is made from trees, so in a sense a tree "gives" all the money in the world without ever receiving anything back.
I begin the earth and end the eclipse, I occur in seconds and minutes, but never in a hand although I am in a lifetime. What am I?
'E' starts 'earth', ends 'eclipse', appears in 'seconds' and 'minutes', is absent from 'hand', but present in 'lifetime'.
What do cows give after an earthquake?
'Milk shakes' puns on the beverage and milk literally being shaken by earthquake tremors.
I blossom like a flower, a hindrance I create, and save you from the earth, do not use me too late. What am I?
A parachute opens up (blossoms) like a flower, slows your fall (a hindrance), and must deploy before you hit the ground.
What is the smallest bridge in the world?
The 'bridge of the nose' is the small ridge between your eyes, punning on an actual bridge structure.
I'm first on earth, second in heaven, I appear twice in a week, and once in a year, I'm in the middle of the Sea. What am I?
'E' is the first letter of 'earth', the second letter of 'heaven', appears twice in 'week', once in 'year', and is the middle letter of 'sea'.
What is made of wood but no saw on earth is sharp enough to cut?
Sawdust is already the byproduct of wood being cut, so no saw can 'cut' it further -- it's the end result of cutting, not a new piece to cut.
I am in the beginning of the earth. I am at the end of the time. I appear two times in a week. I appear once in a year. What Am I?
The letter "e" begins "Earth," ends "time," appears twice in "week," and once in "year."
Say "silk" five times. Now, spell "silk." What do cows drink?
This is a trick riddle designed to make you say 'milk' by pattern, but cows actually drink water.
I'm fatherless and motherless and born without sin. Roaring when entering the world, I never speak again. What am I?
Thunder appears suddenly with a loud roar and vanishes just as quickly, without repeating itself in that same instant.
What is always traveling, has life, has sense but doesn't live?
Earth constantly orbits (travels), supports life, and has 'senses' in a poetic sense, yet is not itself a living being.
We capture light, and yet we don't. We reflect rays of sun, and yet we don't. Without us all the world is gray and dull for everyone. What are we?
Colors exist only through the interaction of light, yet aren't themselves physical objects that capture or reflect it.
I come right in front of Earth, at the end of time, and twice in a week. What am I?
The letter 'E' starts 'Earth,' ends 'time,' and appears twice in the word 'week' if you count loosely as the puzzle intends... actually it appears in 'week' and 'Wednesday.'
What is the sharpest thing in the world?
This is a joke riddle: a fart can pass through fabric without leaving a hole, unlike any physical blade.
I soar without wings, I see without eyes. I've traveled the universe to and fro. I've conquered the world, yet I've never been anywhere but home. Who am I?
The imagination can mentally travel anywhere and 'see' anything without ever physically leaving where you are.
Here on earth it is true, yesterday is always before today; but there is a place where yesterday always follows today. Where?
In a dictionary, the words are in alphabetical order, so 'yesterday' actually appears listed after 'today'.
What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their politics or religion, agree is between heaven and earth?
This is a wordplay riddle: literally, the word "and" sits between the words "heaven" and "earth" in the phrase.
Why can't the world ever come to an end?
A round shape, like a circle or sphere, has no edge or endpoint to reach.
Three lives have I. Gentle enough to soothe the skin, Light enough to caress the sky, Hard enough to crack rocks. What am I?
The riddle describes water's three states/forms: liquid (soothes skin), vapor/cloud (in the sky), and ice (hard enough to crack rock via freezing).
A cloud was my mother, the wind is my father, my son is the cool stream, and my daughter is the fruit of the land. A rainbow is my bed, the earth my final resting place, and I'm the torment of man. Who Am I?
Rain forms from clouds, is carried by wind, feeds streams, and nurtures crops, ending its journey on the earth.
What travels around the world but stays in one spot?
A postage stamp travels the globe on letters and packages while staying fixed in its corner of the envelope.
There is an ancient invention, still used in some parts of the world today, that allows people to see through walls. What is it?
A window is a hole framed in a wall that lets you literally see through it, unlike solid walls.
Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?
A trick question — Everest was always the tallest mountain on Earth, whether or not anyone had yet discovered or measured it.
My first is high, My second damp, My whole a tie, A writer's cramp. What am I?
"High" plus "damp" (fen, a damp area) combine into "hyphen," the punctuation mark that ties words together.
A book costs $1 plus half its price. How much does it cost?
If the price is P, then P = 1 + P/2, which solves to P = 2.
Tara has $29.00 dollars. She bought 4 coloring books that cost $3.00 each, and 4 boxes of Crayola crayons that cost $2.00 each. She spends the rest of her money on markers. How much money did she spend on markers?
4 books at $3 plus 4 crayon boxes at $2 totals $20, leaving $9 of the original $29 for markers.
What is that which has many leaves, but no stem?
A book's pages are called "leaves," but unlike a plant, it has no stem.
I am the king's, given by the people; Used by the king, on the people who gave him; everyone obeys him because he has me. What am I?
Authority is granted to a ruler by the people, yet is then used to govern those same people.
Why were the notebooks afraid to go to college?
"College ruled" is a pun on the type of lined paper and sounds like the college "ruling over" the notebooks.
I am very important to all living creatures. I was firstborn in the sun. I am a chapter in textbooks and I am not made of fire. I make the sun-worthy. Too much of me may kill you. But humans can still prevent me. What am I?
Heat originates from the sun, is studied in science textbooks, and can be deadly in excess yet is manageable by humans.
What makes "Book, Box, and Noon" the same?
Despite unrelated meanings, book, box, and noon are grammatically all nouns.
Don't judge a book by its cover. What is the contradictory proverb?
This proverb argues the opposite point: that outward appearance does define a person, contradicting 'don't judge by appearances.'
There once was a book that was only owned by the wealthy, but now everyone can have it. You can't buy it in a bookstore or take it from a library. What book is it?
Telephones were once luxuries for the rich, so phone books were once rare, but became common and are given free by phone companies rather than sold.
I sit here collecting dust, I can wait forever to open me and you will not be disappointed, I can make you laugh, cry, and sad, I contain all the knowledge of the world, let me take you to a faraway land. What am I?
Sitting unopened collecting dust, holding knowledge and emotion, and transporting you to far places are all classic descriptions of a book.
What is the highest public building in your city?
"Stories" again puns on both a building's floors and the tales inside library books.
Four legs I do have, yet I never walk. I work not, yet I have food. All the food I get, none do I eat but you do. I cannot read yet many times I'm found with books. I am only but a carpenter's work. What am I?
A table has four legs, holds food and books, but never moves, eats, or reads.
I wiggled and cannot see, sometimes underground and sometimes on a tree. I really don't want to be on a hook, and I become a person when combined with a book. What am I?
A blind, wiggling creature is a worm, and "worm" plus "book" makes "bookworm," an avid reader.
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