Play 2048
Swipe or use the arrow keys to slide the tiles. When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one. Reach the 2048 tile — then keep going.
Swipe, or use the arrow keys or WASD. Merge tiles with the same number.
Choose a board size
Every size has its own daily challenge, a 300-board puzzle library, and endless play.
How to play 2048
- Slide the tiles. Swipe or press an arrow key (or WASD) to slide every tile as far as it will go in that direction.
- Merge equal tiles. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one tile worth their sum, and that value is added to your score.
- Watch for new tiles. After every move that changes the board, a new 2 or 4 tile appears in a random empty square.
- Reach 2048. Keep merging until you build a 2048 tile to win — then keep going for an even higher score, or start fresh.
New to the game? Read the full how-to-play guide, or jump straight to winning strategies to learn how to reach 2048 and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
What is 2048?
2048 is a sliding-tile puzzle played on a grid of numbered tiles. Every move slides all the tiles in one direction, and when two tiles with the same number touch they merge into one tile with double the value. The goal is to keep merging until you create a tile worth 2048 — and you can keep going for an even higher score after that.
How do you play 2048?
Swipe or press an arrow key to slide every tile as far as it can go in that direction. Tiles with matching numbers that collide combine into their sum, and a new 2 or 4 tile appears in a random empty square after each move. Plan your slides so equal tiles line up; the game ends when the board is full and no move can merge anything.
How do you win 2048?
You win the moment you build a 2048 tile. A short message appears, and you can choose Keep going to chase 4096, 8192, and beyond, or start a fresh board. Reaching 2048 usually means keeping your largest tiles stacked in one corner and merging toward it patiently rather than scattering big tiles across the grid.
Is the 2048 Tile Game free to play?
Yes. Every board here is completely free, with no app to install and no account required. Play as many games as you like in your browser on phone, tablet, or desktop — and if you want to appear on the daily leaderboard, you can optionally sign in.
What are the 3×3 and 5×5 versions?
Besides the classic 4×4 board, you can play a tighter 3×3 grid and a roomier 5×5 grid. The 3×3 board is a fast, high-pressure challenge where the board fills quickly, while the 5×5 board gives you far more space to organize merges and build enormous tiles. The rules are identical; only the grid size changes.
What is the daily challenge?
The daily challenge gives everyone the exact same sequence of tile spawns for a given day and board size, so scores are directly comparable. Because the board is identical for every player, the daily leaderboard is a fair contest of skill rather than luck. Undo is disabled in daily mode to keep it fair.
Can I undo a move?
Yes, in endless and puzzle-library games you can undo your last move with the Undo button, the U key, or Ctrl+Z. Undo is intentionally disabled in the daily challenge so the daily leaderboard stays fair for everyone playing the same board.
Does my progress save?
Yes. Your current game, your best score, and your stats are saved locally in your browser, so you can close the tab and pick up exactly where you left off. Clearing your browser data resets them. Signing in is optional and only adds the daily leaderboard and cross-device sync.