About the 2048
2048 is a sliding number puzzle. Every move slides all the tiles on the 4 by 4 board as far as they can go, and when two tiles with the same number touch they merge into one tile with their sum. A new 2 or 4 appears after each move. Your goal is to build a tile that shows 2048, and you can keep going for a higher score. Use the arrow keys or W, A, S, D on a computer, or swipe on a phone, and the game keeps your best score in your browser. It is free and needs no sign-up.
Updated October 2026
How to use the 2048
- 1Slide the tiles with the arrow keys, W, A, S, D or a swipe.
- 2Merge two equal tiles to make one with double the value.
- 3Keep the big numbers in a corner and plan your moves.
- 4Reach the 2048 tile to win, then keep playing for a higher score.
- 5Press New game to start again.
How the game works
Every tile is a power of two. When you move, every tile slides as far as possible. If two equal tiles collide, they merge once during that move. The board fills up quickly if you merge badly, and the game ends when no move can change the board.
A simple strategy
Pick one corner for your largest tile and never move it away. Use only three directions most of the time, for example left, down and right, and press the fourth only when forced. Keep your biggest tiles in a row along the edge in descending order so that they can merge in a chain.
- Choose a corner and keep the biggest tile there
- Avoid moving up (or the direction away from your corner) unless you must
- Merge small tiles early to keep room
- Do not chase the 2048 tile too early
Why people love it
The rules take a few seconds to learn, but each game is different, and there is a satisfying feeling when a chain of merges clears half the board. It is a good short break and a nice way to practise planning.
More puzzles
Try Sudoku, Minesweeper and the Snake Game. The Memory Test and Aim Trainer test your skills.
Features
- Arrow keys, WASD and touch swipe
- On-screen buttons for phones
- Score and best score
- Game over and win messages
- Clean tile colours
- Runs in your browser
Frequently asked questions
How do I play 2048?
Slide the tiles in any direction. Tiles with the same number merge into one with their sum. Make a 2048 tile to win.
How do I win?
Plan ahead: keep your biggest tile in one corner, build a chain of descending numbers along an edge and avoid scattering small tiles.
Does the game end after 2048?
No. After you make 2048 you can keep playing to push the score higher until the board is full.
How is the score calculated?
Each merge adds the value of the new tile to the score. Merging two 128s adds 256.
Can I undo a move?
No. Think before you move. That is part of the challenge.
Why do new tiles appear?
After every move that changes the board, a new tile, usually a 2 and sometimes a 4, appears in a random empty square.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. Swipe on the board or use the arrow buttons that appear under it.
What is the highest tile possible?
On a 4 by 4 board, the highest tile in theory is 131,072, but reaching 4,096 or 8,192 is already hard. Most players aim for 2048 and then try 4096.
Why does the board sometimes fill up so fast?
Every move adds a tile, so scattering small tiles in the middle blocks merging. Keep the small tiles together near the big ones and merge them often.
Is my best score saved?
It is saved in your browser only, so it stays on the same device.