2048
Slide and merge tiles to reach 2048.
Arrow keys, WASD, or swipe.
How to play 2048
Goal: Merge tiles until you make a 2048 tile.
- 1Every move slides all tiles as far as they can go in one direction.
- 2Two tiles with the same number merge into one with double the value.
- 3A new 2 or 4 appears after every move.
- 4The game ends when the board is full and no merge is possible.
On a computer
Arrow keys or WASD
On a phone
Swipe up, down, left or right
Play 2048 free online. Slide numbered tiles, merge matching pairs and try to build the 2048 tile in this addictive number puzzle.
About 2048
2048 is a sliding number puzzle played on a four by four board. Every move pushes all tiles in one direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one tile worth double. A new 2 or 4 appears after each move, so the board slowly fills up. Your goal is to keep merging until you build a tile with the number 2048.
The original 2048 was released as a free web game in 2014 and quickly became one of the most played puzzle games of its time. It borrowed ideas from earlier sliding tile games, but its simple rules and quick rounds made it easy for anyone to pick up. Our free version keeps the classic rules and adds swipe controls for phones, keyboard controls for computers and a saved best score.
2048 is a good brain break because it rewards planning a few moves ahead without any time pressure. You can play a quick round in a few minutes or chase a high score for much longer. There is nothing to download and it runs in any modern browser on phone, tablet or desktop.
2048 tips and strategy
- Pick one corner for your biggest tile and keep it there. Many strong players use the bottom left or bottom right corner.
- Mostly use only two or three directions. If your big tile lives in the bottom left, favor left and down, use right when needed and avoid up.
- Keep the row with your biggest tile full, so a random new tile cannot push your big tile out of its corner.
- Build a chain of decreasing values next to the corner, such as 512, 256, 128, 64. Merging down the chain then creates big tiles quickly.
- Do not chase small merges on the other side of the board. Leaving scattered small tiles is the most common way to run out of moves.
- When you are stuck, look for a move that keeps your corner safe rather than the move that merges the most tiles.
- After you reach 2048 you can tap Keep going and try for 4096 or higher.
2048 FAQ
Is 2048 a game of luck or skill?
Mostly skill. New tiles appear in random empty spots, but a steady corner strategy lets you handle that randomness and win most games.
What is the best strategy for 2048?
Keep your largest tile in one corner, use mainly two directions, and line up tiles in decreasing order along one edge so they can merge in a chain.
Can you keep playing after 2048?
Yes. When you make 2048 you can choose Keep going and continue building 4096 and beyond until no moves are left.
How do I play 2048 on my phone?
Open the game in your phone's browser and swipe up, down, left or right on the board. No app or download is needed.
Does the game save my best score?
Yes. Your best score is saved in your browser on that device, so it is still there the next time you visit.