Play 2048 Online Free

About 2048

2048 is a sliding-tile puzzle on a 4×4 grid. Every move slides all the tiles in one direction; tiles with the same number merge into one worth double, and a new 2 (or occasionally 4) appears in an empty space. The goal is to build a single 2048 tile before the board fills up — and then, if you like, to keep going.

Gabriele Cirulli built it in a weekend in March 2014 and it became one of the most-played games on the web within a month. The version here is the classic: same grid, same rules, with a score and a best score saved in your browser. It is the game people play under a desk, on a bus, or in a meeting they should be paying attention to.

How to play 2048

Slide

Arrow keys or W A S D

Touch

Swipe up, down, left or right

New game

The New Game button

Undo

Not available in the classic rules

1. Press an arrow. Every tile slides as far as it can in that direction.
2. Two tiles with the same number that collide merge into one tile of double the value. A tile only merges once per move.
3. After every move a new tile appears in a random empty cell — usually a 2, sometimes a 4.
4. Reach 2048 to win. You can keep playing for higher tiles; the game ends when no move is possible.

2048 tips

• Pick a corner and keep your biggest tile in it. Only ever use three directions; the fourth is for emergencies.
• Build a descending 'snake' along the edge from your corner — 512, 256, 128 in a row — so merges chain.
• Don't chase merges in the middle of the board; they scatter the big tiles.
• If you must use the forbidden direction, make sure the edge row is full so the corner tile can't move.

2048 — questions