QWOP
SportsBennett Foddy•6
QWOP
SportsBennett Foddy6 plays
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Description
QWOP is the notoriously hilarious ragdoll athletic simulator created by Bennett Foddy. Embodying an Olympic runner representing a small nation, players must coordinate individual thigh and calf muscle keystrokes to somehow propel their runner 100 meters down the track without collapsing.
Attributes
- Release Date
- 2008-11-12
- Language
- English
- Technology
- Flash
- Players
- Single player
Platforms
PCMobileWeb
Kids Friendly
How to Play
Controls and Running Tips
QWOP gives one key to each thigh and calf. The runner only moves when the pairs alternate, and the torso has to stay ahead of the hips.
- Muscle keys
- 4
- Track length
- 100 m
- Restart
- R
Controls
Q
Right thigh forward, left thigh back.W
Left thigh forward, right thigh back.O
Right calf forward, left calf back.P
Left calf forward, right calf back.R
Restart the run.The keys work in opposing pairs. Q and W trade the thigh positions; O and P trade the calf positions. A stride comes from combining one thigh key with one calf key.
First run
- 1Tap O once at the start line to tip the torso forward.
- 2Press W and O together for a short step.
- 3Press Q and P together for the next step.
- 4Alternate the two pairs, releasing each pair before the leg fully straightens.
- 5Keep the taps short; a long hold swings the leg past the point where it can support the body.
Pressing all four keys together usually straightens both legs and drops the runner. Alternate two-key pairs instead of mashing.
Staying upright
Torso
Lean forwardKeep the shoulders slightly ahead of the hips. Leaning back pulls the feet forward and ends the run.
Stride
Stay shortTake small steps. Long steps look faster but leave the runner without a foot under the body.
Timing
Push earlyStart the next pair before the front foot lands. Waiting for full contact makes the stride stall.
Recovery
RestartPress R after a fall. Restarts are free, and a clean first ten meters is worth more than a long scramble.
Knee-scoot fallback
Players who cannot hold a standing stride sometimes finish on one knee. This route is slower and easier to repeat.
- 1Tap W and P together six times to drop onto one knee.
- 2Press Q and O together once to bring the right thigh upright.
- 3Repeat three quick W and P taps, then one Q and O tap.
- 4Keep the sequence steady and use short taps so the knee does not slide backward.
Use the knee scoot as a recovery route, not as a speed technique. A standing stride covers ground faster once the timing is stable.
Keyboard and mobile
This Flash build reads a physical keyboard. On a phone, open the page on a desktop or use an on-screen keyboard; tapping the game area alone does not move the runner.
FAQ
What do Q, W, O, and P do in QWOP?
Q and W move the thighs in opposite directions, while O and P move the calves. Combining one thigh key with one calf key produces a step.
How do you run in QWOP?
Tap O to lean forward, then alternate W with O and Q with P. Use short taps and keep the torso ahead of the hips.
Why does the QWOP runner keep falling backward?
Holding a key too long overextends the leg and pushes the hips behind the shoulders. Release earlier and take shorter steps.
Who It's For
Adopt a steady knee-scoot rhythm: hold Q and P together to push one leg forward, then switch smoothly to W and O to maintain forward crawl momentum.
The Story Behind
Published in late 2008, QWOP became an immortal internet viral sensation, famous for reducing players and streamers to helpless laughter.
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