2048 — play the legendary merge puzzle free in your browser

2048 is one of the most-played puzzle games in history — over a hundred million people have chased the magic tile since 2014. The rules are pure: slide all tiles in one direction; when two equal tiles collide they merge into their sum. Every move spawns a new tile, the board slowly fills, and the question is always the same: can you build 2048 before you run out of room?

Play free here with no download — arrow keys on a computer, swipe on your phone. Your best score is saved on your device.

How to play

• Slide with arrow keys (or WASD), or swipe on mobile.
• Two tiles with the same number merge into one when they collide.
• Each move adds a new 2 (or sometimes 4) to the board.
• No moves left = game over. Reach 2048 to win — then keep going.

Strategy that actually works

• Pick a corner and keep your biggest tile there all game.
• Use only 2–3 directions; pressing the fourth is usually what kills a run.
• Build a snake: descending values chained along the edge merge cleanly.
• Never make a move that separates your two biggest tiles.

More games

More from 🧩 Puzzle games:

• Minesweeper — The desk-drawer classic: 9×9 grid, 10 hidden mines. Read the numbers, flag the bombs, clear the board — one wrong tap and boom.
• Sudoku — Classic 9×9 logic puzzle with pencil notes and error checking. Three difficulties, every puzzle guaranteed one unique solution.
• 15 Puzzle — The classic sliding tile puzzle. Slide 15 numbered tiles back into order — fewest moves and fastest time both saved.
• Block Puzzle — Three shapes at a time, eight by eight, no timer at all. It ends the moment nothing fits — and that's your fault, five moves ago.
• Lights Out — Every tap flips five lights. Switch the whole grid off in as few moves as you can — there's a trick to it.

Or browse all games.