Tic-Tac-Toe
Take on an unbeatable computer, or play a friend.
X to move
How to play Tic-Tac-Toe
Goal: Get three of your marks in a row.
- 1You are X and always go first.
- 2Take turns placing a mark in an empty square.
- 3Three in a row across, down or diagonally wins.
- 4Against the computer, a draw is a good result.
On a computer
Click a square
On a phone
Tap a square
Play Tic-Tac-Toe free online against an unbeatable computer or with a friend on the same device.
About Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe, also called noughts and crosses, is played on a three by three grid. One player is X and the other is O. Players take turns marking an empty square, and the first to get three marks in a row across, down or diagonally wins.
Versions of three in a row games are thousands of years old, and Tic-Tac-Toe is one of the first games many children learn. It is also one of the first games computers were taught to play. With perfect play from both sides, every game ends in a draw.
Our free version has a computer opponent that never makes a mistake, plus a two player mode for playing a friend on one screen. Rounds take under a minute, which makes it a perfect quick break.
Tic-Tac-Toe is often the first game used to explain how computers can search through every possible move. There are only a few thousand possible positions, so a computer can check all of them instantly. That is exactly how our opponent plays: it looks at every outcome and always chooses the best move. Learning to hold it to a draw is a nice lesson in careful play.
Tic-Tac-Toe tips and strategy
- Start in a corner. It gives your opponent the most chances to go wrong.
- If your opponent starts in a corner, take the center.
- Always block an opponent's two in a row before doing anything else.
- Create a fork: a move that makes two lines of two at once. Your opponent can only block one.
- Against our computer, a draw is a strong result, because it plays perfectly.
- In two player mode, swap who goes first each round to keep it fair.
Tic-Tac-Toe FAQ
Can you beat the computer at Tic-Tac-Toe?
Not ours. It plays perfectly, so the best you can do is a draw. Playing perfectly yourself will always earn that draw.
What is the best first move in Tic-Tac-Toe?
A corner is usually best, because it sets up the most ways to win if your opponent slips.
Is Tic-Tac-Toe always a draw?
Yes, when both players make the best moves. Wins only happen after a mistake.
Can two people play on one phone?
Yes. Pick 2 Players and pass the device back and forth.
Who goes first in Tic-Tac-Toe?
X always goes first. Against the computer you play X, and in 2 player mode you can take turns being X.
Is Tic-Tac-Toe free to play here?
Yes. It is free in any browser with no download or account.