英語謎語可以分為兩類，一類與漢語民間謎語一樣，用幾句話描述一樣事物，然後要求猜射；另一類謎面短小，運用單詞結構及雙關諧音等手法巧妙答問。
1. 物謎：從某種意義而言，可以把中國的物謎翻譯成英語猜射，反之亦然，通過翻譯，不影響謎底。如：
Two little brothers，
One lives on one side，
The other on the other side，
They hear what you say，
But they does not see each other。
比較一下漢語中的謎語：
左一片，
右一片，
長到老，
不見面。
有異曲同工之妙！謎底皆為耳朵（ear）。又如：
It is so weak，
That a little wind can move it，
It is so strong，
That you can cut it with a knife and leave no trace。
（ key：water）
2. 問答謎：用問答形式利用單詞結構，語音語義等技巧，得出答案。常見的有：
1) 諧音語義型(雙關型)，這是最常見的一類。
What letter is a part of the head? Key：I (eye)
Why is a river very rich?
Key：because it has two banks。(堤岸; 銀行)
Which four letters are the thief afraid of?
Key：O，I，C，U (oh， I see you )
What part of a clock is always old?
Key： second-hand (秒針，二手貨)
2) 常識型：
What is white when it is dirty? Key：blackboard
What never asks qustions， but gets a lot of answers? Key：doorbell
3) 字母結構型：
which letter makes her hear? Key：a
I jump into the water， what do I do ? key：waiter
My first is in “ snow ”， but not in “ ice ” ，
My second is in “ rose ”， and also in “ rice ” ，
My third is not in “ pencil ”， but in “ paper ” 。
My whole is a place where there is a lot of water。