How to play 2048
- Swipe in any direction, or press an arrow key. Every tile on the board slides as far as it can that way.
- When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one tile worth their sum: 2 + 2 = 4, 4 + 4 = 8 and so on.
- After every move a new 2 (sometimes a 4) appears in an empty square.
- Each merge adds the new tile’s value to your score. Reach the 2048 tile to win, then keep going for a higher score.
- The game ends when the board is full and no neighboring tiles match. Use Undo to take back a move, or start a new game on another board size.
Play 2048 online, the number sliding puzzle
2048 is a simple puzzle with surprisingly deep strategy. The board starts with two small tiles. Every swipe moves all tiles at once, equal numbers combine, and a new tile drops in. Because each move fills the board a little more, you have to think a few moves ahead to keep space open. Building a single 2048 tile takes more than a thousand moves, so every decision counts.
The corner strategy
Most strong players pick one corner, usually bottom left or bottom right, and keep their biggest tile there for the whole game. Try to use only two or three directions, for example left, down and right, and avoid the direction that would pull the big tile out of its corner. Keep the row next to that corner full and in order, with values getting smaller as they move away from the corner. Then a single chain of merges can roll all the way back to the big tile, like 8 + 8, then 16 + 16, then 32 + 32.
Tips that help
Do not chase every merge you see. A merge in the middle of the board often leaves a gap where a new 2 lands in the wrong place. Keep small tiles away from your big ones, and fix an empty spot in your main row right away. When you are forced to press the “bad” direction, move back on the very next turn. If a game goes wrong, the Undo button takes back up to 50 moves.
Board sizes and goals
The classic game uses a 4 × 4 board. 3 × 3 is a short, tight challenge where reaching 512 is already a real win. 5 × 5 and 6 × 6 give you much more room, so the game becomes relaxed and long, and tiles of 8192 or more are within reach. Each size keeps its own best score and statistics.
Score, records and saving
Your score goes up by the value of every new tile you create, so merging two 1024 tiles adds 2048 points. Your best score updates live and lights up when you beat it. The game saves itself after every move, so you can close the tab and continue later on the same device. The tile collection in the side panel shows every tile value you have reached so far.
Frequently asked questions
Is this 2048 game free?
Yes. You can play as much as you like with no sign-up, no ads in the game area and nothing to install. It works in the browser on phones, tablets and computers.
What happens when I reach 2048?
You win the round, and you can choose to keep going on the same board for a higher tile and score, or start a new game.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. The Undo button, the U key or Ctrl+Z take back your last move. You can undo up to 50 moves in a row, even after the game ends.
What is the best strategy for 2048?
Keep your biggest tile in one corner, fill the row next to it in descending order, and use mostly two or three directions so that the big tile never leaves its corner.
Is my game saved?
Yes. Your current game, best scores, statistics and settings are stored only in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to a server.