#xkcd No. 3110
Date: 2025-7-2
Title: Global Ranking
Alt text: Starting a meta-leaderboard for tracking who holds the record for ranking behind the most distinct people on an online leaderboard.
https://xkcd.com/3110/
xkcd
#xkcd No. 3122
Date: 2025-7-30
Title: Bad Map Projection: Interrupted Spheres
Alt text: During the most recent glacial maximum, it's believed that land bridges extended from the surfaces and connected several of the spheres together.
https://xkcd.com/3122/
![Description: Single panel comic showing seven separate gray and white globes, each representing a continent. The globes vary in size relative to the continent they depict.
Transcript:
BAD MAP PROJECTION #194:
INTERRUPTED SPHERES
TO AVOID THE DISTORTION INHERENT TO A SINGLE FLAT WORLD MAP,
EACH CONTINENT IS PROJECTED ONTO ITS OWN GLOBE.
[Seven globes are shown. Each globe shows a continent and is labeled with the continent's name:]
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA
SOUTH AMERICA
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
ANTARCTICA](/proxy/post_attachment/783971/a9806a9293.png "Description: Single panel comic showing seven separate gray and white globes, each representing a continent. The globes vary in size relative to the continent they depict.
Transcript:
BAD MAP PROJECTION #194:
INTERRUPTED SPHERES
TO AVOID THE DISTORTION INHERENT TO A SINGLE FLAT WORLD MAP,
EACH CONTINENT IS PROJECTED ONTO ITS OWN GLOBE.
[Seven globes are shown. Each globe shows a continent and is labeled with the continent's name:]
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA
SOUTH AMERICA
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA
ANTARCTICA")
#xkcd No. 3250
Date: 2026-5-25
Title: Flag Design
Alt text: Every place has a local cryptid; more places need a local Pictish Beast, a creature in historical art that's drawn so weirdly that no one can tell what animal it's supposed to be.
https://xkcd.com/3250/
![Description:
A uniquely shaped beige flag containing various symbols, tear-off tabs, and multiple text labels.
Transcript:
[A single panel shows a complex flag design. Lines point from external labels to features on the flag.]
[Labels on the left side:]
CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
JAUNTY ANGLE
EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
ROUNDED CORNERS
[Labels at the top:]
WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
NATIONAL FLAG
ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
[Labels on the right side:]
TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
[Label on the bottom right:]
GDPR CONSENT
[Text printed directly on the flag:]
INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Below this text are multiple tear-off tabs with squiggly, unreadable text.]
[In a box on the bottom right of the flag:]
YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA
[ACCEPT] [CUSTOMIZE]
[Caption below the panel:]
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.](/proxy/post_attachment/1076852/36ca41cb77.png "Description:
A uniquely shaped beige flag containing various symbols, tear-off tabs, and multiple text labels.
Transcript:
[A single panel shows a complex flag design. Lines point from external labels to features on the flag.]
[Labels on the left side:]
CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
JAUNTY ANGLE
EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
ROUNDED CORNERS
[Labels at the top:]
WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
NATIONAL FLAG
ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
[Labels on the right side:]
TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
[Label on the bottom right:]
GDPR CONSENT
[Text printed directly on the flag:]
INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Below this text are multiple tear-off tabs with squiggly, unreadable text.]
[In a box on the bottom right of the flag:]
YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA
[ACCEPT] [CUSTOMIZE]
[Caption below the panel:]
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.")
#xkcd No. 3250
Date: 2026-5-25
Title: Flag Design
Alt text: Every place has a local cryptid; more places need a local Pictish Beast, a creature in historical art that's drawn so weirdly that no one can tell what animal it's supposed to be.
https://xkcd.com/3250/
![Description:
A beige flag cluttered with symbols, tear-off tabs, and arrows labeling its bizarre features.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[An image of a highly complex, beige flag. Numerous text labels with lines point to specific features on the flag.]
[Pointing to the slightly tilted left edge]: JAUNTY ANGLE
[Pointing to five dots in the bottom left]: EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
[Pointing to the bottom left corner]: ROUNDED CORNERS
[Pointing to top and bottom rows of stars]: TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
[Pointing to a rainbow shape]: CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
[Pointing to a sketched gray creature]: WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
[Pointing to a tiny version of the entire flag]: NATIONAL FLAG
[Pointing to a gray landmass shape]: ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
[Pointing to a contactless payment icon]: TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
[Pointing to a twisted fold on the right edge]: TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
[Pointing to a web banner at the bottom right]: GDPR CONSENT
[Text inside the web banner]: YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA [ACCEPT] [CUSTOMIZE]
[Text above tear-off paper tabs along the bottom edge]: INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Caption below the panel]:
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.](/proxy/post_attachment/1076854/c559a6b590.png "Description:
A beige flag cluttered with symbols, tear-off tabs, and arrows labeling its bizarre features.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[An image of a highly complex, beige flag. Numerous text labels with lines point to specific features on the flag.]
[Pointing to the slightly tilted left edge]: JAUNTY ANGLE
[Pointing to five dots in the bottom left]: EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
[Pointing to the bottom left corner]: ROUNDED CORNERS
[Pointing to top and bottom rows of stars]: TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
[Pointing to a rainbow shape]: CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
[Pointing to a sketched gray creature]: WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
[Pointing to a tiny version of the entire flag]: NATIONAL FLAG
[Pointing to a gray landmass shape]: ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
[Pointing to a contactless payment icon]: TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
[Pointing to a twisted fold on the right edge]: TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
[Pointing to a web banner at the bottom right]: GDPR CONSENT
[Text inside the web banner]: YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA [ACCEPT] [CUSTOMIZE]
[Text above tear-off paper tabs along the bottom edge]: INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Caption below the panel]:
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.")
#xkcd No. 3250
Date: 2026-5-25
Title: Flag Design
Alt text: Every place has a local cryptid; more places need a local Pictish Beast, a creature in historical art that's drawn so weirdly that no one can tell what animal it's supposed to be.
https://xkcd.com/3250/
![Description:
An annotated, complex flag design featuring odd symbols, a twisted edge, and tear-off tabs below.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A large, intricately designed beige flag is displayed. Numerous labels surround the flag, with lines pointing to its specific bizarre features. The labels read:]
CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
JAUNTY ANGLE
EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
ROUNDED CORNERS
WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
NATIONAL FLAG
ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
GDPR CONSENT
[Text printed directly on the flag itself, above fringed tear-off strips at the bottom:]
INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Text printed inside a popup box in the bottom right corner of the flag:]
YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA
[Buttons:] ACCEPT CUSTOMIZE
[Caption below the panel:]
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.](/proxy/post_attachment/1076857/8f1af5a35d.png "Description:
An annotated, complex flag design featuring odd symbols, a twisted edge, and tear-off tabs below.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A large, intricately designed beige flag is displayed. Numerous labels surround the flag, with lines pointing to its specific bizarre features. The labels read:]
CIE 1931 CHROMATICITY DIAGRAM, TO ENSURE FLAG COLOR FIDELITY
TAN AND WHITE STARS ON BEIGE FIELD
JAUNTY ANGLE
EURION ANTI-COUNTERFEIT MARK
ROUNDED CORNERS
WE CAN'T AGREE WHAT ANIMAL THIS IS, SO WE PUT IT ON OUR FLAG TO SPARK NATIONAL DEBATE
NATIONAL FLAG
ISLAND (NOT A SPECIFIC ISLAND, JUST A TRIBUTE TO ISLANDS IN GENERAL)
TAP HERE TO PAY TAXES
TRIBUTE TO TOPOLOGY
GDPR CONSENT
[Text printed directly on the flag itself, above fringed tear-off strips at the bottom:]
INTERESTED IN CITIZENSHIP? TAKE ONE!
[Text printed inside a popup box in the bottom right corner of the flag:]
YOU HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE MANAGE YOUR DATA
[Buttons:] ACCEPT CUSTOMIZE
[Caption below the panel:]
I THINK OUR FLAG DESIGN COMMITTEE REALLY KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK.")
#xkcd No. 3121
Date: 2025-7-28
Title: Kite Incident
Alt text: Detectives say the key to tracking down the source of the kites was a large wall map covered in thumbtacks and string. 'It's the first time that method has ever actually worked,' said a spokesperson.
https://xkcd.com/3121/
![Description: A 10-panel xkcd comic strip showing two stick figures flying an increasingly large series of kites, eventually causing global air travel disruption.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Character 1: Ooh, flying a kite?
Character 2: Yeah. I found this big spool of fishing line in a closet.
Panel 2:
[Two stick figures holding a spool of string with one kite high in the air.]
Panel 3:
Character 1: Are we allowed to fly a kite this high? Should we Google whether there are rules?
Character 2: Eh, it's probably fine.
Panel 4:
Character 1: The string is really starting to sag.
Character 2: Maybe we could attach another kite? I'll go get one.
Panel 5:
Character 1: It worked! Nice!
Panel 6:
Character 1: I bought another package of string.
Character 2: Oh good, these spools are almost empty.
Character 2: I think we're in the jet stream.
Panel 7:
Character 1: How many kites are on there now?
Character 2: I've lost count.
Panel 8:
[The string stretches further across the panel, with several kites attached, out of view.]
Panel 9:
Character 1: Uhh...
Character 1: ...Did it blow in a circle?
Character 2: I don't know. Lemme look up a map of where the jet stream goes.
Character 1: Hey, do you hear sirens?
Panel 10:
Headline: BREAKING: KITE INCIDENT DUO SPEAKS CNN
Text: ON THE ADVICE OF OUR LAWYER, WE WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE EVENTS THAT SHUT DOWN GLOBAL AIR TRAVEL LAST WEEK...
[Two stick figures and a woman with glasses are standing behind a podium.]](/proxy/post_attachment/781680/39e51afd7c.png "Description: A 10-panel xkcd comic strip showing two stick figures flying an increasingly large series of kites, eventually causing global air travel disruption.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Character 1: Ooh, flying a kite?
Character 2: Yeah. I found this big spool of fishing line in a closet.
Panel 2:
[Two stick figures holding a spool of string with one kite high in the air.]
Panel 3:
Character 1: Are we allowed to fly a kite this high? Should we Google whether there are rules?
Character 2: Eh, it's probably fine.
Panel 4:
Character 1: The string is really starting to sag.
Character 2: Maybe we could attach another kite? I'll go get one.
Panel 5:
Character 1: It worked! Nice!
Panel 6:
Character 1: I bought another package of string.
Character 2: Oh good, these spools are almost empty.
Character 2: I think we're in the jet stream.
Panel 7:
Character 1: How many kites are on there now?
Character 2: I've lost count.
Panel 8:
[The string stretches further across the panel, with several kites attached, out of view.]
Panel 9:
Character 1: Uhh...
Character 1: ...Did it blow in a circle?
Character 2: I don't know. Lemme look up a map of where the jet stream goes.
Character 1: Hey, do you hear sirens?
Panel 10:
Headline: BREAKING: KITE INCIDENT DUO SPEAKS CNN
Text: ON THE ADVICE OF OUR LAWYER, WE WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE EVENTS THAT SHUT DOWN GLOBAL AIR TRAVEL LAST WEEK...
[Two stick figures and a woman with glasses are standing behind a podium.]")
#xkcd No. 3111
Date: 2025-7-4
Title: Artificial Gravity
Alt text: Low gravity can cause bone loss, so we're pleased to report that, since we initiated capsule motion, the number of bones in each crew member has been steadily increasing.
https://xkcd.com/3111/
#xkcd No. 3124
Date: 2025-8-4
Title: Grounded
Alt text: We should have you at the gate in just under two hours--two and a half if we get pulled over.
https://xkcd.com/3124/
#xkcd No. 3127
Date: 2025-8-11
Title: Where Babies Come From
Alt text: Historians: Contemporaneous documentation of the initial events is often sparse, and in fact people often get testy and uncooperative when we urge better documentation for the historical record.
https://xkcd.com/3127/
#xkcd No. 3220
Date: 2026-3-16
Title: Rotational Gravity
Alt text: I don't get it. The peak acceleration for passengers was WAY lower than in the giant-waterslide-loop-the-loop incident the other cruise line fired me for.
https://xkcd.com/3220/
![Description:
Cueball stands on the left, gesturing as he speaks to Hairbun and White Hat, who stand together on the right. Hairbun has a squiggly line above her head indicating nausea or dizziness, and White Hat has one hand resting on his face.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Cueball: I was able to produce artificial gravity by rotating the ship along its longitudinal axis, helping passengers maintain muscle mass on the long-duration voyage!
[Hairbun has a small squiggly line over her head. White Hat covers his face with his hand.]
Caption below panel:
Well, the cruise line fired me.](/proxy/post_attachment/1008190/6e673069bf.png "Description:
Cueball stands on the left, gesturing as he speaks to Hairbun and White Hat, who stand together on the right. Hairbun has a squiggly line above her head indicating nausea or dizziness, and White Hat has one hand resting on his face.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Cueball: I was able to produce artificial gravity by rotating the ship along its longitudinal axis, helping passengers maintain muscle mass on the long-duration voyage!
[Hairbun has a small squiggly line over her head. White Hat covers his face with his hand.]
Caption below panel:
Well, the cruise line fired me.")
#xkcd No. 3274
Date: 2026-7-20
Title: Arthurian Connector
Alt text: Most coffee shops have a descendant of Sophia of Hanover on staff for this, but just as I was about to ask for help, a previously unknown heir of Uther Pendragon who was ordering a muffin tripped on my laptop cord.
https://xkcd.com/3274/
![Description:
A sword with a cable on its hilt hovers over an anvil with a top slot and a cable at its base.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
CURSED CONNECTORS #158:
THE ARTHURIAN
[A drawing of a sword and an anvil acting as electrical connectors. A cable extends from the pommel of the hovering sword, and another cable extends from the base of the anvil, which has a matching slot on top to receive the blade.]
(CAN ONLY BE UNPLUGGED
BY A RIGHTFUL HEIR TO
THE BRITISH THRONE)](/proxy/post_attachment/1132391/6b4cee6b77.png "Description:
A sword with a cable on its hilt hovers over an anvil with a top slot and a cable at its base.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
CURSED CONNECTORS #158:
THE ARTHURIAN
[A drawing of a sword and an anvil acting as electrical connectors. A cable extends from the pommel of the hovering sword, and another cable extends from the base of the anvil, which has a matching slot on top to receive the blade.]
(CAN ONLY BE UNPLUGGED
BY A RIGHTFUL HEIR TO
THE BRITISH THRONE)")
#xkcd No. 3222
Date: 2026-3-20
Title: Star Formation
Alt text: It's ok, I still have some nice, cool gas clouds that aren't collapsing. As long as nothing ionizes them, I can continue to enjoy their ... HEY! NO!!!
https://xkcd.com/3222/
![Description:
A four-panel comic shows a small, spiky sun-like entity observing clouds of gas in space. Over the panels, the clouds clump together, collapse inward, and ignite into a bright, shining star, much to the small entity's dismay.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A small, spiky, dark circle with short rays (like a tiny sun) floats near several fluffy, irregular clouds.]
Entity: I think I did a good job with this universe.
Entity: Pressure waves dance through gas clouds.
Entity: They clump together and then pressure pushes them apart.
Panel 2:
[The small entity watches as one of the clouds begins to condense into a denser, tighter clump, drawing in smaller surrounding clouds.]
Entity: Oh weird, that big clump of clouds is staying together.
Entity: Their gravity is overcoming the pressure and more gas is falling in.
Panel 3:
[The central cloud has collapsed significantly, with jagged lines and streaks indicating rapid inward movement and intense energy. Fragments of cloud are being pulled in.]
Entity: It's not stopping!
Entity: The heat is rising but the collapse is only accelerating!
Entity: I messed up. I messed up BAD.
Panel 4:
[The collapsed cloud has ignited, becoming a large, brilliantly white, spiky star emitting long rays of light. The small entity floats nearby, observing the new star.]
Entity: NOOOOOOOO!!!
Entity: My beautiful clouds!
Entity: Ruined! It's all ruined!](/proxy/post_attachment/1011254/18c4037805.png "Description:
A four-panel comic shows a small, spiky sun-like entity observing clouds of gas in space. Over the panels, the clouds clump together, collapse inward, and ignite into a bright, shining star, much to the small entity's dismay.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A small, spiky, dark circle with short rays (like a tiny sun) floats near several fluffy, irregular clouds.]
Entity: I think I did a good job with this universe.
Entity: Pressure waves dance through gas clouds.
Entity: They clump together and then pressure pushes them apart.
Panel 2:
[The small entity watches as one of the clouds begins to condense into a denser, tighter clump, drawing in smaller surrounding clouds.]
Entity: Oh weird, that big clump of clouds is staying together.
Entity: Their gravity is overcoming the pressure and more gas is falling in.
Panel 3:
[The central cloud has collapsed significantly, with jagged lines and streaks indicating rapid inward movement and intense energy. Fragments of cloud are being pulled in.]
Entity: It's not stopping!
Entity: The heat is rising but the collapse is only accelerating!
Entity: I messed up. I messed up BAD.
Panel 4:
[The collapsed cloud has ignited, becoming a large, brilliantly white, spiky star emitting long rays of light. The small entity floats nearby, observing the new star.]
Entity: NOOOOOOOO!!!
Entity: My beautiful clouds!
Entity: Ruined! It's all ruined!")
#xkcd No. 3221
Date: 2026-3-18
Title: Landscape Features
Alt text: 'Well, there's speculation that it's due to a mantle hotspot.' --a geologist who's trying to cover up the fact that they didn't hear your question
https://xkcd.com/3221/
![Description:
A two-panel comic. The top panel features Cueball and Ponytail talking. The main panel is a map of the US divided by red lines into broad geographical regions, each labeled with a landscape cause.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Cueball: WHAT'S UP WITH THIS WEIRD LANDSCAPE?
Ponytail: OH, IT WAS CAUSED BY...
Panel 2:
[A map of the United States, partitioned into regions by red lines with red text in each area. Roughly from West to East:]
Washington state area: ...MEGA-FLOODS
California coast: ...A PLATE TECTONICS SPEEDRUN
Inland California/Nevada area: ...VOLCANOES
Idaho/Wyoming area: ...A SUPERVOLCANO
Southwest: ...WATER AND TIME
Broad Western Interior: ...GEOLOGY
Great Plains: ...FARMING
Northern states and Great Lakes: ...GLACIERS
Mississippi River area: ...RIVERS
Small circular region near Missouri: ...GEOLOGY
Appalachian region: ...CONTINENTS COLLIDING
Southeast: ...FARMING
Florida: ...ONGOING DISPUTES BETWEEN LIMESTONE AND WATER
Upstate New York area: ???
Northeast coast: ...GLACIERS
[An inset box in the bottom left shows Hawaii and Alaska:]
Hawaii: ...VOLCANOES
Alaska interior: ...GEOLOGY
Alaska Aleutian islands: ...VOLCANOES
Alaska southern coast: ...GLACIERS](/proxy/post_attachment/1009692/77dfd00002.png "Description:
A two-panel comic. The top panel features Cueball and Ponytail talking. The main panel is a map of the US divided by red lines into broad geographical regions, each labeled with a landscape cause.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
Cueball: WHAT'S UP WITH THIS WEIRD LANDSCAPE?
Ponytail: OH, IT WAS CAUSED BY...
Panel 2:
[A map of the United States, partitioned into regions by red lines with red text in each area. Roughly from West to East:]
Washington state area: ...MEGA-FLOODS
California coast: ...A PLATE TECTONICS SPEEDRUN
Inland California/Nevada area: ...VOLCANOES
Idaho/Wyoming area: ...A SUPERVOLCANO
Southwest: ...WATER AND TIME
Broad Western Interior: ...GEOLOGY
Great Plains: ...FARMING
Northern states and Great Lakes: ...GLACIERS
Mississippi River area: ...RIVERS
Small circular region near Missouri: ...GEOLOGY
Appalachian region: ...CONTINENTS COLLIDING
Southeast: ...FARMING
Florida: ...ONGOING DISPUTES BETWEEN LIMESTONE AND WATER
Upstate New York area: ???
Northeast coast: ...GLACIERS
[An inset box in the bottom left shows Hawaii and Alaska:]
Hawaii: ...VOLCANOES
Alaska interior: ...GEOLOGY
Alaska Aleutian islands: ...VOLCANOES
Alaska southern coast: ...GLACIERS")
#xkcd No. 3219
Date: 2026-3-13
Title: Planets and Bright Stars
Alt text: An old astronomer trick for distinguishing the Sun from other stars is to take multiple photos a few minutes apart and overlay them, making the Sun stand out due to its high proper motion.
https://xkcd.com/3219/
![### Section 1: Description
Description: A 3x4 grid of twelve nearly identical glowing white dots on a solid black background. Each dot is labeled below with the name of a different planet or bright star.
### Section 2: Transcript
Transcript:
Title: PLANETS AND BRIGHT STARS IDENTIFICATION CHART
[The image displays a grid of twelve glowing points of light, arranged in three rows of four, labeled as follows:]
Row 1: VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN
Row 2: MERCURY, SIRIUS, PROCYON, ANTARES
Row 3: ALTAIR, BETELGEUSE, VEGA, POLARIS](/proxy/post_attachment/1004929/c6a49dedb0.png "### Section 1: Description
Description: A 3x4 grid of twelve nearly identical glowing white dots on a solid black background. Each dot is labeled below with the name of a different planet or bright star.
### Section 2: Transcript
Transcript:
Title: PLANETS AND BRIGHT STARS IDENTIFICATION CHART
[The image displays a grid of twelve glowing points of light, arranged in three rows of four, labeled as follows:]
Row 1: VENUS, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN
Row 2: MERCURY, SIRIUS, PROCYON, ANTARES
Row 3: ALTAIR, BETELGEUSE, VEGA, POLARIS")
#xkcd No. 3237
Date: 2026-4-24
Title: Husband and Wife
Alt text: Borat came out twenty years ago this year--closer to the breakup of the Soviet Union than to today--but it honestly feels like it's been even longer, somehow.
https://xkcd.com/3237/
#xkcd No. 3230
Date: 2026-4-8
Title: Overton
Alt text: I think I accidentally installed an Overton window in my bedroom. A few months ago, the sun wasn't in my face in the morning, but now it is.
https://xkcd.com/3230/
![Description:
A single-panel comic shows a gravestone sitting on a small patch of grass. The gravestone has a name and several lines of dates, with the older dates crossed out in red and newer ones added below.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A gravestone stands in grass. Text is carved onto the face of the stone. The first set of dates is in black, with a red line drawn through them. Below that, three more sets of dates are written in red. The first two red sets are also crossed out with red lines, leaving the final, incomplete red date at the bottom uncrossed.]
Gravestone text:
Joseph Paul
Overton
~~1960 - 2003~~
~~1965 - 2011~~
~~1973 - 2018~~
1982-](/proxy/post_attachment/1027757/5a3baeba73.png "Description:
A single-panel comic shows a gravestone sitting on a small patch of grass. The gravestone has a name and several lines of dates, with the older dates crossed out in red and newer ones added below.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A gravestone stands in grass. Text is carved onto the face of the stone. The first set of dates is in black, with a red line drawn through them. Below that, three more sets of dates are written in red. The first two red sets are also crossed out with red lines, leaving the final, incomplete red date at the bottom uncrossed.]
Gravestone text:
Joseph Paul
Overton
~~1960 - 2003~~
~~1965 - 2011~~
~~1973 - 2018~~
1982-")
#xkcd No. 3245
Date: 2026-5-13
Title: Results Age
Alt text: Please, we need your help. Our research suggests you're the last living descendant of the person who knew how to format this config file.
https://xkcd.com/3245/
![Description:
A mock web search result with a magnified timestamp above a chart with three columns and six rows.
Transcript:
Title: IMPLICATIONS OF THE AGE OF THE POSTS YOU SEE WHEN YOU GOOGLE AN ERROR MESSAGE
[A mock search engine result page. The search bar text reads:]
ERROR CODE E-218
[A magnifying glass callout zooms in on the timestamp of the search result, reading:]
3 YEARS AGO
[Below is a table. The contents are transcribed row by row, separated by | ]
AGE OF POST | WHAT IT MEANS | PROBABILITY OF A FIX
2 HOURS AGO | THERE'S AN INFRASTRUCTURE OUTAGE | VERY HIGH- JUST WAIT
5 DAYS AGO | A RECENT UPDATE BROKE SOMETHING BIG | HIGH, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PATCH
3 MONTHS AGO | A NEW PRODUCT ISN'T WORKING FOR SOME USERS | DECENT CHANCE OF A SOLUTION IN THE REPLIES
2 YEARS AGO | YOU'VE RUN INTO AN EDGE CASE | LOW, BUT MAYBE THE REPLIES CAN HELP WITH TROUBLESHOOTING
13 YEARS AGO | YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM | VERY LOW- POST IS LIKELY NOT RELEVANT
24 YEARS AGO | OH GOD HOW IS THE INTERNET THIS OLD | MAYBE WHOEVER POSTED THIS MESSAGE HAS KIDS WHO CAN HELP YOU](/proxy/post_attachment/1064877/671b4c03a7.png "Description:
A mock web search result with a magnified timestamp above a chart with three columns and six rows.
Transcript:
Title: IMPLICATIONS OF THE AGE OF THE POSTS YOU SEE WHEN YOU GOOGLE AN ERROR MESSAGE
[A mock search engine result page. The search bar text reads:]
ERROR CODE E-218
[A magnifying glass callout zooms in on the timestamp of the search result, reading:]
3 YEARS AGO
[Below is a table. The contents are transcribed row by row, separated by | ]
AGE OF POST | WHAT IT MEANS | PROBABILITY OF A FIX
2 HOURS AGO | THERE'S AN INFRASTRUCTURE OUTAGE | VERY HIGH- JUST WAIT
5 DAYS AGO | A RECENT UPDATE BROKE SOMETHING BIG | HIGH, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PATCH
3 MONTHS AGO | A NEW PRODUCT ISN'T WORKING FOR SOME USERS | DECENT CHANCE OF A SOLUTION IN THE REPLIES
2 YEARS AGO | YOU'VE RUN INTO AN EDGE CASE | LOW, BUT MAYBE THE REPLIES CAN HELP WITH TROUBLESHOOTING
13 YEARS AGO | YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM | VERY LOW- POST IS LIKELY NOT RELEVANT
24 YEARS AGO | OH GOD HOW IS THE INTERNET THIS OLD | MAYBE WHOEVER POSTED THIS MESSAGE HAS KIDS WHO CAN HELP YOU")
#xkcd No. 3229
Date: 2026-4-6
Title: Grammar
Alt text: Communication is one of the most popular ways to transmit information, ahead of rivals such as
https://xkcd.com/3229/
![Description:
A single-panel comic shows a stick-figure teacher, Blondie, standing on the left facing two seated students, Cueball and Megan, on the right. A large speech bubble above Blondie contains text.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[Blondie stands facing Cueball and Megan, who are sitting at desks.]
Blondie: Grammar is one of the most popular ways to structure a language, ahead of rival methods such as words order words random words words random good and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.](/proxy/post_attachment/1026158/70bc6baa8b.png "Description:
A single-panel comic shows a stick-figure teacher, Blondie, standing on the left facing two seated students, Cueball and Megan, on the right. A large speech bubble above Blondie contains text.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[Blondie stands facing Cueball and Megan, who are sitting at desks.]
Blondie: Grammar is one of the most popular ways to structure a language, ahead of rival methods such as words order words random words words random good and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.")
#xkcd No. 3238
Date: 2026-4-27
Title: Soniferous Aether
Alt text: Imagine you could ride alongside a sound wave. It would probably be pretty cool, right? We're putting in a departmental budget request to buy a really fast plane so we can check it out.
https://xkcd.com/3238/
![Description:
Cueball and Ponytail stand on a stage near a chart with waveforms while Ponytail speaks.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[Cueball and Ponytail stand together on a raised, curved platform. To their left hangs a poster or screen displaying three horizontal wavy lines. Ponytail is speaking.]
Ponytail: WE ALL KNOW THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS CONSTANT FOR ALL OBSERVERS.
BUT OUR EXPERIMENTS SHOW THAT THE SPEED OF SOUND *CHANGES* BASED ON THE OBSERVER'S MOTION.
THUS, WE POSIT THE EXISTENCE OF THE *SONIFEROUS AETHER*, A MEDIUM THAT FILLS THE SPACE BETWEEN US AND CARRIES SOUND WAVES.
Caption below panel: SOMETIMES PHYSICISTS FORGET THAT AIR EXISTS AND REDISCOVER IT FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES.](/proxy/post_attachment/1049595/8987f44f49.png "Description:
Cueball and Ponytail stand on a stage near a chart with waveforms while Ponytail speaks.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[Cueball and Ponytail stand together on a raised, curved platform. To their left hangs a poster or screen displaying three horizontal wavy lines. Ponytail is speaking.]
Ponytail: WE ALL KNOW THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS CONSTANT FOR ALL OBSERVERS.
BUT OUR EXPERIMENTS SHOW THAT THE SPEED OF SOUND *CHANGES* BASED ON THE OBSERVER'S MOTION.
THUS, WE POSIT THE EXISTENCE OF THE *SONIFEROUS AETHER*, A MEDIUM THAT FILLS THE SPACE BETWEEN US AND CARRIES SOUND WAVES.
Caption below panel: SOMETIMES PHYSICISTS FORGET THAT AIR EXISTS AND REDISCOVER IT FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES.")
#xkcd No. 3239
Date: 2026-4-29
Title: Simple Machines
Alt text: It's hard to decide which simple machine system to invest in. DeWalt makes a great lever and inclined plane, but I hear Milwaukee's wheel-and-axles are really good.
https://xkcd.com/3239/
![Description:
A drawing of a single tool combining a screw, wedge, lever, wheel, and a pulley with a hook.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A line drawing of a single mechanical device that integrates a wheel, pulley, lever, wedge, inclined plane, and screw into one object.]
I CAN FINALLY STOP BUYING SIMPLE MACHINES NOW THAT I GOT AN ALL-IN-ONE TOOL WITH ALL SIX OF THEM.](/proxy/post_attachment/1050796/9414296d89.png "Description:
A drawing of a single tool combining a screw, wedge, lever, wheel, and a pulley with a hook.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A line drawing of a single mechanical device that integrates a wheel, pulley, lever, wedge, inclined plane, and screw into one object.]
I CAN FINALLY STOP BUYING SIMPLE MACHINES NOW THAT I GOT AN ALL-IN-ONE TOOL WITH ALL SIX OF THEM.")
#xkcd No. 3240
Date: 2026-5-1
Title: Bottle
Alt text: "I know it seems impossible, but the trick is that I sailed in here when I was very young."
https://xkcd.com/3240/
![Description: Three boats sail the sea. Cueball and Ponytail are outside; Beret Guy sails inside a giant bottle.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A single wide panel shows three small sailboats moving to the right across a body of water. On the left, Cueball and a smaller, partially visible figure sit in the first boat. On the right, Ponytail sits in the third boat. Floating horizontally in the water between them is a massive, corked glass bottle. The bottle contains its own body of water, where Beret Guy is sailing the second boat.]](/proxy/post_attachment/1052505/44afd48e4d.png "Description: Three boats sail the sea. Cueball and Ponytail are outside; Beret Guy sails inside a giant bottle.
Transcript:
Panel 1:
[A single wide panel shows three small sailboats moving to the right across a body of water. On the left, Cueball and a smaller, partially visible figure sit in the first boat. On the right, Ponytail sits in the third boat. Floating horizontally in the water between them is a massive, corked glass bottle. The bottle contains its own body of water, where Beret Guy is sailing the second boat.]")
#xkcd No. 3244
Date: 2026-5-11
Title: Pullback Drive
Alt text: "How does the spring not run out almost immediately?" "We pull it back REALLY far."
https://xkcd.com/3244/
#xkcd No. 3232
Date: 2026-4-13
Title: Countdown Standard
Alt text: Anyone who is caught counting 'three ... two ... one ... zero ... GO!' will be punished with a lifetime of eating only ISO standard food samples.
https://xkcd.com/3232/
![Description:
A single-panel comic consisting only of text. It presents three different countdown phrases, evaluating each with a symbol and a label indicating its status as either deprecated or a standard. Below the main box is a caption explaining the premise.
Transcript:
ONE... TWO... THREE! [Red 'X' mark] DEPRECATED
ONE... TWO... THREE... GO! [Red 'X' mark] DEPRECATED
[A red bracket groups the first two lines together, pointing to red text on the right:]
TOO EASY
TO MIX UP
THREE... TWO... ONE... GO! [Green check mark] ISO STANDARD
[Caption below the panel:]
IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF ISO, THE FIRST THING I'D DO WOULD BE TO STANDARDIZE THE WAY PEOPLE COUNT OUT LOUD BEFORE DOING SOMETHING IN SYNC.](/proxy/post_attachment/1034723/23c0c471c8.png "Description:
A single-panel comic consisting only of text. It presents three different countdown phrases, evaluating each with a symbol and a label indicating its status as either deprecated or a standard. Below the main box is a caption explaining the premise.
Transcript:
ONE... TWO... THREE! [Red 'X' mark] DEPRECATED
ONE... TWO... THREE... GO! [Red 'X' mark] DEPRECATED
[A red bracket groups the first two lines together, pointing to red text on the right:]
TOO EASY
TO MIX UP
THREE... TWO... ONE... GO! [Green check mark] ISO STANDARD
[Caption below the panel:]
IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF ISO, THE FIRST THING I'D DO WOULD BE TO STANDARDIZE THE WAY PEOPLE COUNT OUT LOUD BEFORE DOING SOMETHING IN SYNC.")
#xkcd No. 3248
Date: 2026-5-20
Title: 182.8 Meters
Alt text: They rounded down to 182.8 instead of rounding up to 182.9 because 182.9 might make the statement incorrect.
https://xkcd.com/3248/
#xkcd No. 3242
Date: 2026-5-6
Title: Aperiodic Table
Alt text: Scientists occasionally invent alternative periodic table layouts, which is usually a sign that they don't have enough enrichment in their enclosures.
https://xkcd.com/3242/
![Description:
Colorful element tiles form a continuous, winding path snaking across a white background.
Transcript:
Title: THE APERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS
Panel 1: [A long, winding path made of square tiles.]
1 H, 2 He, 3 Li, 4 Be, 5 B, 6 C, 7 N, 8 O, 9 F, 10 Ne, 11 Na, 12 Mg, 13 Al, 14 Si, 15 P, 16 S, 17 Cl, 18 Ar, 19 K, 20 Ca, 21 Sc, 22 Ti, 23 V, 24 Cr, 25 Mn, 26 Fe, 27 Co, 28 Ni, 29 Cu, 30 Zn, 31 Ga, 32 Ge, 33 As, 34 Se, 35 Br, 36 Kr, 37 Rb, 38 Sr, 39 Y, 40 Zr, 41 Nb, 42 Mo, 43 Tc, 44 Ru, 45 Rh, 46 Pd, 47 Ag, 48 Cd, 49 In, 50 Sn, 51 Sb, 52 Te, 53 I, 54 Xe, 55 Cs, 56 Ba, 57 La, 58 Ce, 59 Pr, 60 Nd, 61 Pm, 62 Sm, 63 Eu, 64 Gd, 65 Tb, 66 Dy, 67 Ho, 68 Er, 69 Tm, 70 Yb, 71 Lu, 72 Hf, 73 Ta, 74 W, 75 Re, 76 Os, 77 Ir, 78 Pt, 79 Au, 80 Hg, 81 Tl, 82 Pb, 83 Bi, 84 Po, 85 At, 86 Rn, 87 Fr, 88 Ra, 89 Ac, 90 Th, 91 Pa, 92 U, 93 Np, 94 Pu, 95 Am, 96 Cm, 97 Bk, 98 Cf, 99 Es, 100 Fm, 101 Md, 102 No, 103 Lr, 104 Rf, 105 Db, 106 Sg, 107 Bh, 108 Hs, 109 Mt, 110 Ds, 111 Rg, 112 Cn, 113 Nh, 114 Fl, 115 Mc, 116 Lv, 117 Ts, 118 Og.](/proxy/post_attachment/1058287/d8adf99f32.png "Description:
Colorful element tiles form a continuous, winding path snaking across a white background.
Transcript:
Title: THE APERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS
Panel 1: [A long, winding path made of square tiles.]
1 H, 2 He, 3 Li, 4 Be, 5 B, 6 C, 7 N, 8 O, 9 F, 10 Ne, 11 Na, 12 Mg, 13 Al, 14 Si, 15 P, 16 S, 17 Cl, 18 Ar, 19 K, 20 Ca, 21 Sc, 22 Ti, 23 V, 24 Cr, 25 Mn, 26 Fe, 27 Co, 28 Ni, 29 Cu, 30 Zn, 31 Ga, 32 Ge, 33 As, 34 Se, 35 Br, 36 Kr, 37 Rb, 38 Sr, 39 Y, 40 Zr, 41 Nb, 42 Mo, 43 Tc, 44 Ru, 45 Rh, 46 Pd, 47 Ag, 48 Cd, 49 In, 50 Sn, 51 Sb, 52 Te, 53 I, 54 Xe, 55 Cs, 56 Ba, 57 La, 58 Ce, 59 Pr, 60 Nd, 61 Pm, 62 Sm, 63 Eu, 64 Gd, 65 Tb, 66 Dy, 67 Ho, 68 Er, 69 Tm, 70 Yb, 71 Lu, 72 Hf, 73 Ta, 74 W, 75 Re, 76 Os, 77 Ir, 78 Pt, 79 Au, 80 Hg, 81 Tl, 82 Pb, 83 Bi, 84 Po, 85 At, 86 Rn, 87 Fr, 88 Ra, 89 Ac, 90 Th, 91 Pa, 92 U, 93 Np, 94 Pu, 95 Am, 96 Cm, 97 Bk, 98 Cf, 99 Es, 100 Fm, 101 Md, 102 No, 103 Lr, 104 Rf, 105 Db, 106 Sg, 107 Bh, 108 Hs, 109 Mt, 110 Ds, 111 Rg, 112 Cn, 113 Nh, 114 Fl, 115 Mc, 116 Lv, 117 Ts, 118 Og.")