Rules & objective
Slide matching tiles together and reach 2048.
- Equal tiles merge once per move. A tile created by a merge cannot merge again during that same move.
- A move that changes the board adds a new 2 or 4 to an empty square. Pressing a direction that changes nothing does not add a tile.
- Each merge adds its new tile value to the score. Reaching 2048 lets you keep playing; the run ends when no slide or merge is available.
Key terms
- Merge
- Two equal tiles becoming one tile with twice their value.
- Anchor
- The corner where you try to keep your largest tile.
- Empty space
- Room that lets tiles slide into useful arrangements.
Difficulty levels
| Level | What changes |
|---|---|
| Easy | 5 × 5 board: extra room to build toward 2048. |
| Medium | The classic 4 × 4 board. Reach 2048, then keep going. |
| Hard | 3 × 3 board: every empty square matters. Reach 2048. |
Changing difficulty starts a fresh round. Personal bests are tracked separately.
This version on puzzle free online
Easy uses a 5 × 5 board, Medium 4 × 4, and Hard 3 × 3. The target remains 2048. The current board saves in this browser, and the score is recorded when the run ends.
Common questions
Is Number Chain the same game?
No. Number Chain connects equal neighbors and raises the endpoint by one; 2048 doubles equal tiles by sliding the whole board.
Can I undo a move?
This version has no Undo control. Inspect the whole board before committing to a direction.
Explore this game in a new way
Keep exploring
Put the rules into practice.
Use the companion guide for a worked example, strategy and a small practice challenge.
Read the 2048 guide ↗Browse all wiki articles