Dinosaur Game

chrome://dinochrome://dino
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The story behind the game

Google developers often surprise users with easter eggs — hidden features embedded in their products. Dinosaur Game, also known as T-Rex Game, Dino Runner, or Chrome Dino, is one of them. This mini-game in the “runner” genre appears in the browser when there’s a problem with the internet connection — a fun way developers help users pass the time while waiting for the signal to return.

This simple yet engaging game element has become part of Google Chrome’s signature style — an unexpected, friendly, and slightly ironic approach to user experience.

You can play Dinosaur Game on both mobile devices and desktop computers, even in offline mode. The only requirement is to have the Chrome browser.

Game history

Dinosaur Game first appeared in 2014 in the Canary version of the Google Chrome browser. It took only a few months to bring the idea to life, and soon this new easter egg was being talked about publicly. One of the first to mention the game was François Beaufort, a technical evangelist for Google Chrome, who intrigued users by saying there was a tyrannosaurus in the browser — and it was waiting.

Interestingly, the initial versions of the game were quite primitive: the dinosaur had no animation, and the gameplay was limited to running and jumping over cacti. However, the team soon added more elements, improved the mechanics, and optimized the game for various devices.

According to Chrome designer Sebastian Gabriel, the dinosaur was chosen as the main character as a reference to “prehistoric times.” The code name “Project Bolan” was given to the T-Rex in honor of Marc Bolan, lead singer of the British rock band T. Rex from the 1970s. This choice was no accident: Google wanted a visually recognizable yet minimalist character that would look good in pixel art and not require high device performance. That’s why the game’s style resembles classic arcade games from the early days of computing.

According to Google staff, Android and Chrome users launch the game 270 million times each month. Unsurprisingly, the game is especially popular in countries with poor internet connectivity.

Over time, the pixelated T-Rex became so popular that developers gave the game a permanent address (chrome://dino), allowing users to play without disconnecting from the internet. Additionally, many fan-made clones and modifications have been created — featuring colorful graphics, new characters, difficulty levels, and even story elements. Some developers have experimented with integrating Dinosaur Game into their own websites and apps as a hidden easter egg or a way to delight users.

When asked how long it takes to “beat” the runner, Google jokes: “We set a limit so that it would take about 17 million years. About the same amount of time tyrannosaurs existed on Earth.” This joke emphasizes that the game has no traditional ending: it’s infinite and designed for short gaming sessions. Instead of victory, it values endurance, reflexes, and concentration. Dinosaur Game isn’t just a game — it’s part of digital culture, especially among users accustomed to constant connectivity who see offline mode as a rarity.

Fun facts

  • The game features a day-night cycle. If you play long enough, the background changes from day to night and back. This adds visual variety despite the simple graphics.
  • Dinosaur Game works even when JavaScript is disabled. This was done intentionally to ensure the game is accessible under any conditions — even with minimal browser functionality.
  • The maximum score you can achieve is 99,999. After that, the counter resets. However, reaching this score is extremely difficult, and the game doesn’t end.
  • Dinosaur Game has a hidden “party mode”: if you open the game on September 13 — the dinosaur’s birthday — you’ll see festive balloons next to the character.
  • The game is written entirely in JavaScript and built directly into the browser. This means there’s no need to download anything — the code is already inside Chrome.
  • Some companies use Dinosaur Game during corporate events as a way to lighten the mood or host spontaneous reaction-speed tournaments.

Launch Dino Game (Dino Runner, Chrome Dino) and prove that your brain and fingers work as one. The key — don’t blink at the crucial moment. Jump, dodge, speed up... and beat yourself again and again!

How to play, rules and tips

Almost every Chrome user has encountered the T-Rex at least once — that’s the name of the only species of tyrannosaur, the Tyrannosaurus rex. The T-Rex appears on the page along with the message “No internet connection”. Many people see the image as a joke and don’t realize it’s actually time to have some fun with a dinosaur, pterodactyls, and cacti.

It’s surprising that even after all these years, some users still don’t know about the built-in game. Yet it’s always available — just type chrome://dino in the browser’s address bar.

This mini-game in the “runner” genre has become a favorite pastime for millions of users around the world. It requires no installation, no registration, and starts instantly — as soon as you lose internet connection.

The interface is as simple as possible: no menu, no settings — the focus is entirely on the player’s reaction and the fast-changing obstacles. Because of this, the Dinosaur Game runs perfectly even on weak devices and older browser versions.

Game rules

To start playing, press the spacebar. On mobile devices, just tap the screen. The game uses three keys:

  • To make the T-Rex duck, press the down arrow — ↓.
  • The dinosaur jumps when you press the up arrow — ↑.
  • You can use the spacebar or the ↑ arrow to jump over obstacles.

The goal is to jump over cacti, avoid pterodactyls, and score as many points as possible. After 400 points, pterodactyls appear, and around 700 points, night falls in the game. Also, the speed gradually increases, making it harder to overcome obstacles. If the dinosaur fails, you’ll have to start all over again.

The rules are simple, but you can’t win the game — it’s endless. The longer you play, the harder it gets — even the smallest mistake can mean a restart. That’s why many people see the Dinosaur Game not just as entertainment but as a test of reflexes and focus.

Gameplay tips

  • Many beginners start jumping too early or too often. At the beginning, the speed is low, and sudden actions can lead to unnecessary mistakes.
  • Some players claim the best way to last longer is to find your “rhythm” and stick to it — especially during the day-to-night transitions. These visual changes can be distracting and cause errors.
  • Watch not only the closest obstacles but also what’s coming on the horizon.
  • Hold the down arrow early — it helps you duck in time when a pterodactyl appears.
  • Try to play in a comfortable position — many players lose not because of poor reflexes, but because their hands get tired.
  • Take breaks. After 10 minutes of nonstop play, your focus starts to fade and the chance of making a mistake increases.

Cheat codes for the Dinosaur Game

If you’re not a fan of constant battles with obstacles, here’s some good news — there are cheats for the game. Open the developer console in your browser and enter the following code:

  • Runner.instance_.playingIntro = true. The dinosaur will run without any obstacles and collect points.
  • Runner.instance_.gameOver = function(){}. Obstacles remain, but they no longer harm the dinosaur — it just keeps running.
  • Runner.instance_.setSpeed (100). If the dinosaur seems too slow, you can speed it up and collect more points.
  • Runner.instance_.playingIntro = false. Use this to return to normal mode.

You can enter the commands one by one or combine them to get the highest possible score. Maybe you’ll impress your friends with your performance, but you know it’s always better to play fair. By the way, if you use cheats, your high score won’t be saved — so true champions should stick to classic mode.

If you’re not sure how to open the developer console, press F12 or use the shortcut “Ctrl + Shift + I” (on Windows) or “Cmd + Option + I” (on macOS), then go to the Console tab. That’s where all the commands are entered. Don’t forget: the game must be running and active before using the cheats — otherwise, the commands won’t work.

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Metainformation
Created by
Lily Scott
Reviewed by
David Harrison
Last updated 01/10/2025