Play 2048 online
2048 is the sliding number puzzle that took over phones everywhere: slide the tiles, merge matching numbers, and try to build a single 2048 tile before the board fills up. Easy to learn, hard to master, and every game is different.
Play 2048 free in your browser with the arrow keys on a computer or a swipe on your phone. Your best score is saved so you can try to beat it.
The story of 2048
2048 was made in March 2014 by Gabriele Cirulli, a 19-year-old developer in Italy, as a weekend project. It was inspired by earlier sliding-tile games and became a worldwide hit within days, played by millions of people in their browsers. The idea is simple: slide the tiles, merge equal numbers and try to build a tile of 2048.
How to play here
Swipe on a phone or use the arrow keys on a keyboard. All tiles slide as far as they can in that direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one with their sum. After every move a new 2 or 4 appears. Undo lets you take back a move, and your best score is saved.
Does the corner strategy really work?
Almost every guide says the same thing: keep your biggest tile in a corner. We tested it by simulating 10,000 games. Played as a fixed rule, the corner strategy never reached 1024; a player that kept the corner idea but thought two moves ahead reached 2048 in 29% of games. The full results are in our article, does the 2048 corner strategy work.
A plan that works
- Pick a corner and keep your biggest tile there all game.
- Fill the edge row in order, largest at the corner, then snake back along the row above.
- Look one or two moves ahead, and prefer moves that keep empty cells.
- Avoid the fourth direction. If you must use it, repair the corner on the next move.
- Slow down when the board is tight. Most games are lost in a few hasty swipes.
How to play 2048
- Swipe or press an arrow key to slide every tile as far as it can go.
- Two tiles with the same number merge into one tile with double the value.
- After each move a new 2 (or sometimes a 4) appears in an empty cell.
- Reach the 2048 tile to win. Keep going for a higher score until no moves are left.
2048 tips
Keep your biggest tile in a corner
Pick one corner and keep your largest tile there. Build a chain of decreasing tiles along the edge next to it.
Mostly use two or three directions
If your corner is bottom-left, swipe mostly down and left, sometimes right, and up only when you have to. Fewer directions keep the big tiles in place.
Plan merges, not single moves
Before each swipe, check where the new tile could land. Keeping one row full and tidy leaves small tiles room to grow.
Frequently asked questions
How do you win 2048?
You win by creating a tile with the number 2048. After that you can keep playing to reach 4096 or more and raise your score.
What is the best 2048 strategy?
The corner strategy works best for most people. Keep your biggest tile in one corner, build a decreasing row next to it, and avoid swiping away from that corner.
Is my best score saved?
Yes. Your best score is saved in your browser on this device.
