Open for Registration now!
The Competition
picoCTF is the largest cybersecurity hacking competition for middle and high school students. Participants 13 years and older of all skill levels are encouraged to compete. Competitors must reverse-engineer, break, hack, decrypt, and think creatively and critically to solve the challenges and capture the digital flags.
Competition prizes have eligibility requirements, but everyone is encouraged to play for fun and learning.
The Important Dates
Sign up for an account
Register for the competition
Competition period
US Middle/High School Winners Announced
Competition Categories
Prize Eligibility
Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)
Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants in this category
Be enrolled in a US middle or high school
Prizes and awards may have requirements. See full competition rules for details.
Prizes
$3,000 and visit to CMU for award ceremony *
$2,000 and visit to CMU for award ceremony *
$1,000 and visit to CMU for award ceremony *
all middle-school team
$550
all middle-school team
$300
Prize Eligibility
Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)
Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants in this category
Be enrolled in a Canada high school
Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.
Prizes
Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
Prize Eligibility
Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)
Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants in this category
Reside in the continent of Africa
Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.
Prizes
Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
Prize Eligibility
Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)
Form a team alone or with up to 4 other eligible participants
Be enrolled in a Japan high school or university
Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules for details.
Prizes
Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF participation.
Please see the category sponsor website for prize information and full rules.
Players of all types are welcome to play for fun, learning, and bragging rights on the global scoreboard.
Be at least 13 years old
(if under 18, have consent of parent or legal guardian to participate)
Form a team alone or with up to 4 other participants
picoCTF would like to thank our sponsors for providing the funds for continued development and competition awards.