Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe is the simple pencil-and-paper game played on a three-by-three grid. Take turns with the computer to place your mark, and be the first to get three in a row, across, down or diagonally. Pick easy, medium or hard, and choose whether to play X (and move first) or O. On the hard level the computer plays perfectly, so the best you can do is draw. Play Tic-Tac-Toe free online in your browser — no download or sign-up needed.

Level:
You play:

You 0 · Draws 0 · Computer 0

Click a cell or press 1–9 · N — new game. On Hard the computer never loses.

Game Information

Category
Board and Dice Games
Players
You against the computer
Difficulty
Easy, Medium and Hard
Game type
Classic, Strategy, Quick
Works on
Desktop and mobile browsers
Controls
  • Mouse or touch: click or tap a square
  • Keyboard: keys 1–9, N for a new game
Features
  • Three levels
  • Play as X or O
  • Score saved in your browser

How to Play Tic-Tac-Toe

Objective

Get three of your marks in a row.

Starting a game

Pick a level and your side. X always moves first.

Rules

  • Players take turns placing one mark in an empty square.
  • The first player with three marks in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line wins.
  • If all nine squares are filled and nobody has a line, the game is a draw.

Controls

  • Mouse or touch: click or tap a square
  • Keyboard: keys 1–9, N for a new game

Winning and losing

You win with three in a row. On Hard the computer never loses, so a draw is a good result.

Tips and Strategies

  • Take the centre or a corner when you move first.
  • Always check whether the opponent has two in a row.
  • Look for a move that creates two threats at once (a fork).
  • On Hard, aim for a draw by blocking every threat.
  • On Easy and Medium, the computer sometimes makes mistakes: look for forks.

Game Variations

  • Easy, Medium and Hard computer levels, and the choice to play X or O.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the computer be beaten?

On Easy and Medium, yes. On Hard it plays perfectly.

Who moves first?

X. You choose whether you are X or O.

Are keys supported?

Yes, 1–9 place your mark.

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