2048
Merge matching tiles to reach the 2048 tile.↑↓←→
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Play to set a score, then submit it to the board.
About 2048
2048 is the number puzzle that turned a spare five minutes into a habit for millions. The rules take one sentence — swipe to slide every tile, and when two tiles with the same number touch they merge into their sum — but the board fills up fast, and one careless move can wall you into a loss. The tile in the title is the classic target, though most players blow straight past it chasing a personal best. What keeps it compelling is the quiet tension between growth and space: every merge frees a square, every new tile takes one back, and good play starts with pinning your biggest tile in a corner and feeding it in order, then checking where the next random tile could land before you swipe. This version runs instantly in your browser with smooth swipe and arrow-key controls, saves your high score locally, and never asks you to install anything. Whether you have two minutes or twenty, it is the kind of game you close and then immediately reopen for one more run.
How to play
- Use your arrow keys (or swipe on mobile) to slide all tiles in one direction.
- When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one tile with double the value.
- After every move, a new tile (2 or 4) appears in a random empty cell.
- Reach the 2048 tile to win — or keep going for a higher score. The game ends when no moves are left.
Strategy & tips
- Pick one corner and keep your highest tile there for the whole game — most players use the bottom-left.
- Prefer two directions (e.g. left and down) and avoid the opposite ones unless forced. This keeps your board ordered.
- Build tiles in a descending "snake" pattern along one edge so merges chain naturally into your corner.
- Never make a move that lifts your biggest tile out of its corner — one careless swipe can unravel the board.
- Slow down in the endgame: when the board is over half full, count what each move spawns space for before you swipe.
FAQ
Is the new tile always a 2?
No. After every move a new tile appears on a random empty square: a 2 nine times out of ten and a 4 the other time.
Can I keep playing after reaching 2048?
Yes. Reaching the 2048 tile wins the game, but you can continue playing to chase 4096, 8192, and a higher score.
Is 2048 a game of luck or skill?
More skill than it looks, but the corner rule alone is not enough. Tile spawns are random; keeping your biggest tile in a corner is necessary but not sufficient. In my simulations a strict corner rule never reached 2048 in 2,000 games, while a player that also looked one spawn ahead reached it in 76% of games.