2048
2048
Slide and merge matching numbers to reach the 2048 tile.
Puzzle · 1 player
How to play
Every tile on the board slides in the direction you choose, all at once. When two tiles with the same number collide they merge into one and the value doubles. After each move a new tile drops into an empty spot. When the board is full and no merge is left, the game is over.
- 1Push all tiles in one direction with the arrow keys or a swipe.
- 2Equal numbers merge: 2+2=4, 4+4=8… Every merge adds to your score.
- 3Keeping your biggest tile parked in a corner is the most reliable strategy.
- 4Made a bad move? Use Undo. Every new tile of 256 or more earns you another undo (up to 3).
- 5Reach 2048 to win, then keep playing for even bigger numbers if you like.
Keyboard
Slide with the arrow keys or W A S D, undo with Z, pause with Esc.
Touch screen
Swipe up, down, left or right on the board.
Controller
The D-pad or left stick slides the tiles in four directions, Y undoes your last move, and Start pauses the game.
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About 2048
2048 is a compact number puzzle that rewards patience and foresight. New tiles appear in random empty cells, so at first it can feel like luck runs the show, yet after a few rounds you notice that your own arrangement decides almost everything. Players who leave the grid scattered get stuck quickly, while those who keep their numbers in an orderly line reach 1024 and beyond with room to spare.
What keeps it interesting is that every move shifts the entire board. One swipe moves all sixteen cells at once, so you have to think beyond the pair you want to merge: which cells will open up, and where could the next tile land? The limited undo also encourages careful play. You start with two undos, each new tile of 256 or higher grants another, and you can hold at most three at a time.
It suits anyone who wants a quick few-minute break as well as methodical puzzlers chasing a higher personal best. There is no timer, so you can weigh each move for as long as you like.
Strategy and tips
- Pick one corner, park your largest tile there, and line up the rest along the adjoining edge in descending order.
- Only swipe in the direction that pulls the big tile out of its corner when no other move is possible at all.
- Keep the edge row completely filled; a full row cannot slide sideways, so your anchor tile stays put.
- Do not let small 2s and 4s pile up on the far side of the grid, because scattered small values clog the board fast.
- Save your undos for moments after 256 when your corner is under real threat rather than spending them on minor slips.
- Before each move, picture which cells will become empty; the next tile will drop into one of them.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the game end when I make 2048?
- No. Reaching 2048 counts as a win, but you can keep going on the same board and aim for 4096 or higher.
- When is it game over?
- When every cell is filled and no two neighbouring tiles share a value, meaning no direction produces a valid slide.
- How many undos do I get?
- You begin with two. Each new tile worth 256 or more adds one, with a cap of three held at once.
- Can I play it on a phone?
- Yes. Swiping in one of four directions on the board is all it takes; no keyboard is needed.
