About the Minesweeper
Minesweeper is the classic logic game. A grid of hidden squares hides a number of mines. Click a square to open it: a number tells you how many of the eight squares around it hold mines, and an empty square opens all its neighbours automatically. Use the numbers to work out where the mines are and mark them with flags. Open every square that is not a mine to win, but open a mine and the game is over. Choose easy (9 by 9 with 10 mines), medium (16 by 16 with 40) or hard (16 by 30 with 99). Your first click is always safe.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Minesweeper
- 1Choose a level.
- 2Click a square to open it; the first click is always safe.
- 3Read the numbers to find the mines and flag them (right-click, or hold on a phone, or use flag mode).
- 4Click a number that has enough flags around it to open the rest of its neighbours.
- 5Open all the safe squares to win.
Reading the board
Every number is a small puzzle. A 1 with only one closed square around it means that square is a mine. A 2 with two closed neighbours means both are mines. When a number already has all its mines flagged, the other neighbours are safe. Work from the edges of the opened area, where the numbers give the most information.
Useful patterns
A few patterns appear again and again, and knowing them saves guesses.
- 1-1 along a wall: the mine is in the square next to the second 1
- 1-2-1 along a wall: the two squares under the 1s are mines
- A number that equals its closed neighbours: flag them all
- A number with all its mines flagged: open the rest
Playing faster
Use chording to open many squares with one click, and flags only when you need them. On a phone, flag mode saves fumbling. Practise on easy until you read the numbers without effort, then try medium and hard.
More games
Try Sudoku, 2048, Snake Game and Connect Four for other puzzles, and the Memory Test for your memory.
Features
- Three levels: easy, medium and hard
- Right-click, long-press and flag mode
- Chording on numbers
- Timer and mines-left counter
- First click is always safe
- Works with mouse and touch
Frequently asked questions
How do I play Minesweeper?
Open squares and use the numbers to deduce where the mines are. Flag the squares you are sure about and open all the others.
What do the numbers mean?
A number shows how many of the eight surrounding squares contain a mine.
How do I place a flag on a phone?
Press and hold a square, or turn on flag mode and tap it.
What is chording?
Clicking an opened number that has the same number of flags around it opens all its other neighbours at once, which speeds up play. If a flag is wrong, you will hit a mine.
Is the first click always safe?
Yes. The mines are placed after your first click, and the square and its neighbours are kept clear, so you start with an opening.
Do I have to guess sometimes?
Occasionally. Most boards can be solved by logic, but some positions need a guess.
What is a good time?
On the easy level, under 30 seconds is fast. On hard, under 3 minutes is very good for a beginner.
Where do I find the best strategy?
Start with a corner or an edge opening, use the numbers to find sure mines, then flag them to reduce the numbers around. Many experienced players avoid flags and use chording only when they are sure.
What is the difference between the levels?
The levels change the size and the density of mines. Easy has about 12% mines, medium 16% and hard about 21%, so hard boards need more careful logic and more guesses.
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up.