Globle has quickly become one of the most popular geography-based games, challenging players to guess a mystery country based on color-coded proximity clues.
For geography lovers and casual players alike, finding the best country to start with in Globle can greatly improve your chances of success.
With the entire world map at your disposal, how do you choose the perfect country to begin your daily game?
I have been playing Globle every day since its debut in 2022, and here are the strategies I consistently use to choose the best starting country for my guesses.
First things first…
Why a Good Starting Country Matters in Globle
Your starting guess is crucial because it helps set the tone for how quickly you’ll zero in on the correct country.
A good first guess can provide valuable clues, while a poor guess can leave you feeling stuck, especially if you guess a country that’s far from the mystery nation.
Choosing the right starting country can make all the difference in cutting down the number of guesses needed.
The Best Countries to Start with
I. Countries with the Most Neighboring Borders
Countries that border a large number of neighboring nations are excellent starting points in Globle, as they offer quick insights into multiple regions.
With many bordering countries, one guess can provide color-coded feedback on a broad area, helping you quickly determine the mystery country’s location.
These nations often span different geographical zones or have extensive land borders, giving clues for nearby continents or regions. For example, starting with countries like China or Russia covers vast areas of both Asia and Europe, while Brazil is ideal for narrowing down South America.
If you decide to start your guess with a country with many neighboring borders, here is a list you can use:
| Country Name | Number of Bordering Neighbors |
| China | 14 |
| Russia | 14 |
| Brazil | 10 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 9 |
| Germany | 9 |
| Zambia | 8 |
| Tanzania | 8 |
| France | 8 |
| Austria | 8 |
| Turkey | 8 |
| Serbia | 8 |
II. Centrally Located Countries per Region
Centrally located countries within each region are great starting points in Globle because they provide proximity clues for a wide area, covering neighboring nations and regions effectively.
These countries are often positioned at the heart of their continents or subregions, making them ideal for gauging direction (north, south, east, or west) toward the mystery country.
I’ve organized the countries below by region, so all you need to do is identify the region you’d like to start your guess with and select any country from that area.
I hope the list will help you quickly narrow down which part of the continent the mystery country is located in.
| Region | Centrally Located Countries |
| Asia | Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |
| Middle East, North Africa, Greater Arabia | Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen |
| Europe | Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland |
| North America | Canada, Caribbean, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Central America, Greenland, Mexico, United States |
| Central America and the Caribbean | Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama |
| South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela |
| Central Africa | Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Republic and Democratic Republic), Rwanda |
| Australia and Oceania | Australia, East Timor, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu |
III. Transcontinental Countries
Transcontinental countries are other unique choices to start Globle with because they span more than one continent, offering hints across multiple regions with a single guess.
These countries have territories that bridge continental boundaries, making them effective for narrowing down potential areas in both continents they occupy.
For instance, guessing Turkey or Russia provides insight into both Europe and Asia, while countries like Egypt offer clues for both Africa and Asia.
This dual-region coverage makes transcontinental countries strategic starting points, as they help to quickly determine which continent the mystery country might be in, improving your chances of success.
If you choose to start with a transcontinental country as your first guess, here’s a quick list you can refer to:
| Country Name | Continents |
| Russia | Europe, Asia |
| Turkey | Europe, Asia |
| Egypt | Africa, Asia |
| Kazakhstan | Asia, Europe |
| Spain | Europe, Africa |
| France | Europe, South America, North America, Indian Ocean |
| Azerbaijan | Europe, Asia |
| Georgia | Europe, Asia |
Avoiding the Extremes
Avoid starting with isolated or extreme locations, such as island nations or countries positioned at the edges of the map.
For example, guessing New Zealand or Iceland may not provide the feedback you need to identify the mystery country effectively. These countries are far removed from many other nations, resulting in limited geographical clues.
Instead, starting with centrally located countries like Germany or Brazil allows you to gather broader insights across neighboring regions, which can significantly enhance your guessing strategy and help you narrow down the mystery country more efficiently.
Experiment and Adapt
While these countries offer strong starting points, the best strategy ultimately depends on the day and your familiarity with global geography.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different countries and adapt based on the proximity clues you receive.
Some days, you may want to start in Europe, while other days a large country in Africa or Asia might be more helpful.
Keep in mind that Globle is a game of exploration, and there’s no single right way to play. The key is to experiment, adjust your strategies, and have fun along the way.