How to play 2048
The board starts with two tiles. Each move slides every tile as far as it can go in one direction: left, right, up or down. When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one tile with double the value, and the merged value is added to your score. After every move a new 2 (or sometimes a 4) appears on an empty square. Reach the 2048 tile to win, then keep going for 4096 and beyond. The game ends when the board is full and no merge is possible.
On a computer use the arrow keys or W, A, S, D. On a phone or tablet, swipe on the board. The page does not scroll while you swipe inside the board, so you will not lose your place.
Tips and strategy
- Pick a corner. Keep your biggest tile in one corner (for example bottom-left) and build the other tiles around it.
- Use two or three directions. If your corner is bottom-left, mostly press down and left, and use right only when needed. Press up only as a last resort.
- Keep the edge row full. A full bottom row stops the big tile from being pushed out of its corner.
- Build a chain. Arrange tiles in a descending line such as 1024, 512, 256, 128 so a single merge can trigger the next one.
- Think one move ahead. Before each swipe, look at where the new tile could appear and whether it can block your chain.
The undo button lets you take back your last move once, which is useful for learning. Try the 5x5 or 6x6 board for a longer, easier game, or 3x3 for a tough challenge.
About the game
2048 was created by Gabriele Cirulli in 2014 as a weekend project and released as open-source software. It became a worldwide hit and inspired many versions. This page is our own independent, lightweight version: a single file with no ads inside the game, no sign-up and no tracking scripts. After your first visit it also works offline, and your best score is saved only on your own device.
FAQ
Is this 2048 game free?
Yes. It is completely free to play in any modern browser on phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to install.
Can I play 2048 offline?
Yes. After the page loads once, it is stored by your browser, so you can open it again without an internet connection.
What happens after I reach 2048?
You can choose to keep going. Tiles can keep merging to 4096, 8192 and higher as long as you have space.
Is my best score saved?
Your best score for each board size is saved in your browser's local storage on this device. It is not uploaded anywhere.
What is the best strategy for 2048?
Keep your largest tile in a corner, mostly use two directions, keep the edge row filled and build a descending chain of tiles next to the corner.