Do a Barrel Roll 2 Times: How to Make Google’s Screen Spin
Open Google. Type “do a barrel roll 2 times.” Hit Enter. Now watch your whole screen flip like a stunt plane in the sky. Pretty wild, right?
This little trick has been making people smile since 2011. And every few months, it goes viral all over again on TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube. But what is it really doing? Where did it come from? And will the page spin twice in a row, or is that just a myth?
I have tried this trick more times than I would like to admit. Here is the full story behind it, why it still works, and how to get the page to spin as many times as you want.
What Is “Do a Barrel Roll 2 Times”?
It is a hidden trick baked into the Google search page. The fancy name for it is an Easter egg. Much like discovering a rare software egg, that is just a fun little surprise that coders hide inside apps, websites, and games.
When you search the phrase, the whole Google results page does a full 360-degree spin. It looks like the screen is doing a flip in the air. After the spin, everything goes back to normal. Your search still works. Nothing breaks. It is just a quick burst of fun.
The trick is also tied to one of the most famous video game lines of all time. We will get to that in a minute.
How to Do a Barrel Roll 2 Times (Step by Step)
This is the easy part. You do not need any apps, plugins, or fancy tools. Just follow these steps:
- Open your web browser. Chrome, Edge, or Firefox all work great.
- Go to google.com.
- Click the search bar in the middle of the page.
- Type do a barrel roll 2 times word for word.
- Press Enter or click the search button.
- Sit back and watch your screen do its little dance.
That is it. Took you about ten seconds, and now you have something fun to show your friends.
Wait, Does Google Really Spin Twice? The Truth Most Blogs Skip
Here is something most blog posts will not tell you straight: Google’s main Easter egg was built to do one full spin, not two.
The original trick was added back in November 2011. It was made with a tool called CSS3, which is what coders use to move stuff around on a webpage. The team who built it set the spin to one smooth 360-degree turn. That was the plan.
So when you type “2 times”, what really happens depends on your browser, your device, and the version of Google you are seeing. Some users get one clean spin. Others say they see two. And many do not see anything at all because of mobile limits or browser settings.
Confusing? A little. But there is a fix.
How to Get the Page to Spin 2 Times (Or Even 100)
If you want a guaranteed two spins, three spins, or even a thousand spins, you have to step outside Google.
A few fan-made websites copy the trick and let you control it. The most popular ones are:
- elgoog.im lets you pick the number of spins, the speed, and the direction. You can go from 2 all the way up to a million.
- goglogo.net has a simple version where you can do a barrel roll 2, 10, 20, or 100 times with one click.
These sites use the same kind of code Google uses. They are safe, free, and great for sharing on social media. Just remember they are not made by Google. They are tribute sites built by fans who love the trick as much as you do.
Where Did “Do a Barrel Roll” Come From?
Long before Google played with it, this phrase came from a classic video game called Star Fox 64. The game came out in 1997 for the Nintendo 64.
In the game, you fly a spaceship through space battles. One of your teammates is a wise old rabbit named Peppy Hare. When enemies fire lasers at you, Peppy shouts the line that became gaming history:
“Do a barrel roll!”
You would press Z or R twice on the controller, and your ship would spin to dodge the lasers. That is also why typing “z or r twice” in the search bar works the same as the barrel roll trick.
The voice actor who played Peppy was a man named Rick May. Sadly, he passed away in 2020. The barrel roll line is one of the most loved tributes to his work.
When Did Google Add the Trick?
Google made the spin live on November 3, 2011. It was built by a Google engineer named Florian Boucault. Within hours, news sites like CBS, Kotaku, and TechCrunch were writing about it. People could not stop sharing it. It was the kind of thing you had to show your friends in person.
More than fourteen years later, the trick is still here. That is rare on the internet, where things come and go in days.
Why the Trick Might Not Work for You
If you typed the phrase and nothing happened, do not panic. There are a few common reasons:
- You are using an old browser. The spin needs a modern browser like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
- Your phone or tablet does not support it. The trick works best on a laptop or desktop.
- Reduced motion is turned on. Some devices block screen spins to help people who get motion sick. Check your accessibility settings.
- You typed it wrong. The phrase has to match. Try just “do a barrel roll” by itself if the “2 times” version does not respond.
- Google has changed its layout. The trick can break on some new versions of the Google search page. Try again on a different device or browser.
If none of that works, hop on one of those fan sites we just talked about. They will give you the spin every time.
Other Fun Google Tricks to Try Next
If you loved this one, Google is full of other little surprises, like traveling back to Kansas with the wizard of oz google trick. Here are some of the best ones to try right now:
- askew tilts your whole search page to one side.
- Google in 1998 shows you what Google looked like the year it started.
- The famous zerg rush easter egg turns your screen into a tiny game where you click invading letters.
- recursion asks you if you meant recursion. (Try it. You will laugh.)
- Atari Breakout turns your image search into a classic arcade game.
- Festivus adds a tall Festivus pole to your search results.
- Thanos used to make half your search results vanish in a snap. A real treat for Marvel fans.
Each one takes only a few seconds. Perfect for a coffee break.
Why People Still Love This Trick in 2026
Here is the real reason the barrel roll is still alive after all these years: it is small, silly, and free.
The internet today feels heavy. Ads, pop-ups, cookie banners, endless feeds. A trick that just makes your screen spin for fun, with no sign-up and no catch, feels like a tiny gift. It reminds us that the people who build the web are real humans with a sense of humor.
So go ahead. Show it to a kid. Show it to your dad. Show it to your friend in the next boring class. Watching their face light up never gets old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “do a barrel roll 2 times” safe?
Yes, it is very safe. It is just a small bit of code that spins the page. It does not download anything, change your settings, or harm your computer. It is one of the safest tricks online.
Does it really spin twice?
Google’s official trick was made to do one full spin. Some users see two, but it depends on your browser and device. For a real two-time spin every time, use a fan site like elgoog.im or goglogo.net.
Can I do this on my phone?
Sometimes. The trick was first built for desktop browsers, so it may not always work on a phone. If it does not spin, try it on a laptop or computer.
What other numbers can I try?
People have tested 10, 20, 100, 1000, and even one million. Google itself does not really change the spin count, but fan sites do. Try “do a barrel roll 100 times” on elgoog.im for a wild ride.
Why does the trick come from a video game?
Google added it as a tribute to Star Fox 64, where the character Peppy Hare shouts “Do a barrel roll!” during battles. It is a small love letter to old-school gaming fans.
Will too many spins crash my browser?
On most new browsers, no. But very high spin counts (like 100,000) can slow down older devices for a few seconds. If it gets stuck, just close the tab and you are fine.
Are there any new Google Easter eggs I should know about?
Google adds new ones often. A quick search for Google Easter eggs always brings up fresh ones. Try them every few months. You will be surprised by what shows up.
Final Thoughts
The “do a barrel roll 2 times” trick is one of the rare online things that has lasted longer than most apps, trends, and viral songs. It is simple. It is free. It works in seconds. And it never tries to sell you anything.
Next time you have a few seconds to kill, type it in. Show it to someone you love. Let them laugh. The internet does not have many moments like this anymore. So enjoy the spin.
