Lifeline

Lifelines are functions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? which are given to contestants in all worldwide formats of the show. Each lifeline is ideally only used once per game. Contestants can usually use more than one lifeline during the same question in any order they want. Each lifeline has a different effect, and many contestants use them strategically (for example, not using a lifeline during the question after a safety net has been achieved, as it usually is a free shot).

Most formats use three lifelines available to the contestant (50:50, Phone-a-Friend and Ask the Audience being the most popular ones, having been the original three lifelines), however, some versions offer more lifelines (up to five in some versions; sometimes added in after a certain point) and some may even have less than three of them in total (as low as zero, in the case of the Japanese Super Millionaire format).

Originally, they were intended to be called "helping hands".

Availability of lifelines between versions

Some lifelines may be unavailable between different versions either due to misuse by contestants, difference in formats, or current world events.

For instance, the Phone-a-Friend lifeline has been removed or replaced in several versions due to the contestants' friends using the internet to look up answers.

Lifelines like Pass and Jump the Question haven't been used outside Millionaire Hot Seat and the syndicated version of U.S. Millionaire respectively due to the differences in formats (Hot Seat for the former and Shuffle format for the latter).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many versions used a reduced audience (i.e. The Netherlands) or omitted it entirely (i.e. Ukraine, United Kingdom). Therefore, Ask the Audience, and other audience interaction lifelines similar to it, was often replaced with another lifeline, including Ask the Host (Australia, Russia); Ask the Star (i.e. Germany, Sweden); Switch the Question (i.e. Poland, Uruguay); a second Phone-a-Friend (i.e. the UK); or the Plus One (i.e. Chile, Costa Rica). After the pandemic had simmered down, Ask the Audience returned to some, but not all, versions.

Lifelines on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

50:50, Phone-a-Friend and Ask the Audience in 16:9 rave format

1. 50:50
   Removes two incorrect answers, leaving the correct answer and one remaining one answer. In versions which allow 50:50 and Double Dip, they can both be used to guarantee a correct answer.
2. Phone-a-Friend
   Allows the contestant to speak to one of a few contacts they nominated before the show for 30 seconds (may vary in some versions) to try to agree on a right answer.
3. Ask the Audience (Audience Poll)
   Allows audience members to input an answer on their keypads to advise the contestant as to which option to pick.
4. Switch the Question (Flip)
   Allows the contestant to swap the question for a different one.
5. Ask the Expert
   Allows the contestant to speak to a knowledgeable person (but not necessarily on the subject of the question).
6. Double Dip
   Allows the contestant to give another answer if their first answer is incorrect, but they cannot walk away on that question if they use it, nor is the lifeline reusable if the first answer is correct. Can be used with 50:50 in some versions to guarantee a right answer.
7. Three Wise Men
   Gives a team of three knowledgeable people 30 seconds (may vary in some versions) to consult and advise the contestant.
8. Extra Help
   Allows the contestant to consult an audience member they know, who will come onto the playing area.
9. Jump the Question
   Used in the U.S. shuffle format to allow the contestant to proceed past the current question without giving a correct answer, but the contestant doesn't win the money. Could originally be used twice.
10. Plus One
    Similar to Phone-a-Friend but the 'friend' is in the audience. That audience member is allowed to come down to the playing are and discuss the answer with the contestant.
11. Crystal Ball
    Used in U.S. Shuffle in 2012. The contestant can see the money behind the current question.
12. Ask Three of the Audience
    Lifeline named as appropriate to how many people are asked. But usually, three members of the audience are allowed to speak to the contestant to advise them on the question.
13. Pass
    Used in Hot Seat to deflect a question onto the player next in line.
14. Ask A Friend
    Used in some versions of Hot Seat to allow the contestant to consult the member of the audience that they know.
15. Cut the Question
    Used on the U.S. syndicated version in 2016 to swap the current question for an easier one. This lifeline can only be used until the US$50,000 question.
16. Power Paplu
    Allows the contestant to reuse a lifeline that they've already used up. Only available on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
17. Code Red
    Allows the contestant's companion in the audience to hit a button if they think the contestant is going to answer incorrectly.
18. Chat Room
    Allows the contestant to consult a group chat on the social network JioChat to see if they know the answer. Used only on Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati from 2016 until 2017.
19. People Speak
    The version of Ask Three of the Audience used on the Filipino version.
20. Ask the Host
    Allows the contestant to consult the presenter for guidance.
21. Ask the Star
    Allows the contestant to consult a celebrity (up to three in some versions) for guidance.
22. Ask the Nation
    A variant of Ask the Audience which also allows viewers to phone a premium-rate phone number to vote for their answer. Only the viewer votes are counted.
23. Ask Two Experts
    Same as Three Wise Men, however only two intellects are consulted instead of three.