2048

Merge your way to 2048

Score0

Best0

Arrow keys or WASDSwipe the board to slide tiles. Equal tiles merge.

About 2048

In 2048 you slide numbered tiles around a four-by-four board. Every move pushes all tiles in one direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one tile with their sum. The aim is to build a tile showing 2048, but you can keep playing for a higher score. It is a quick game with simple controls and surprisingly deep planning; a single bad move can fill the board. Play 2048 free online in your browser — no download or sign-up needed.

Game Information

Category: Puzzle Games
Players: Single player
Difficulty: One board, increasing pressure
Game type: Numbers, Merge, Strategy
Works on: Desktop and mobile browsers
Controls: Keyboard: arrow keys or W A S D
Touch: swipe on the board
Buttons: New game, Undo, Sound, Theme
Features: Undo button
Best score saved in your browser
Game in progress is restored when you come back
Light and dark theme
Sound on/off

How to Play 2048

Objective

Merge equal tiles until a 2048 tile appears. After that you may keep going and try to raise your score further.

Starting a game

The board begins with two small tiles. Every move that changes the board adds one new tile (a 2 or, less often, a 4) in a random empty square.

Rules

All tiles slide as far as they can in the direction you choose.
When two tiles with the same value collide they merge into one tile with the combined value, and that value is added to your score.
A tile can merge only once per move.
A move that changes nothing does not count and does not add a tile.

Controls

Keyboard: arrow keys or W A S D
Touch: swipe on the board
Buttons: New game, Undo, Sound, Theme

Winning and losing

Reaching 2048 shows a win message with the option to continue. The game ends when the board is full and no two neighbouring tiles can merge.

Tips and Strategies

Choose a corner for your biggest tile and avoid moving it away from there.
Prefer two or three directions and use the fourth only when you must; this keeps big tiles together.
Build a descending row of values along one edge so merges chain along it.
Keep an eye on empty squares, not only on the score: an open board gives you room to fix mistakes.
Use Undo to learn from a mistake, but remember it only takes back the last move.