The Competition
picoCTF is the largest cybersecurity hacking competition for middle, high school, and college 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
Scoreboard 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 US middle/high school students 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
$2,000 and may have opportunity to visit Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus for an award ceremony or attend virtually
$1,500 and may have opportunity to visit Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus for an award ceremony or attend virtually
$1,000 and may have opportunity to visit Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus for an award ceremony or attend virtually
$750 and may have opportunity to visit Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus for an award ceremony or attend virtually
$500 and may have opportunity to visit Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus for an award ceremony or attend virtually
Branded giveaways
all middle-school Team
$500
all middle-school Team
$300
all middle-school Team
$150
all middle-school Teams
Branded giveaways
Scoreboard 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, enrolled in a 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.
Scoreboard 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 middle school, high school, or undergraduate university
Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules (pending) for details.
Prizes
Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF
participation.
Please see the category sponsor website (pending) for prize information and
full rules.
Scoreboard 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
More details coming soon
Category Prizes and awards may have requirements. See category sponsor competition rules (pending) for details.
Prizes
Competition sponsors award prizes and opportunities based on picoCTF
participation.
Please see the category sponsor website (pending) 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.