2048
Slide, merge, and reach the 2048 tile.
Slide numbered tiles on a 4×4 grid. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one. Reach the 2048 tile to win — or keep going for a higher score.
How to play
- Use arrow keys or swipe to slide all tiles in one direction.
- When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one.
- After each move, a new tile (2 or 4) appears on the board.
- Reach the 2048 tile to win — you can keep playing after.
- The game ends when no moves are left.
Your stats
Personal records
What is this game?
2048 is a single-player sliding puzzle game created by Gabriele Cirulli in 2014. You slide numbered tiles on a 4×4 grid, combining matching numbers to create higher values. The goal is to create a tile with the number 2048, though you can keep playing to chase an even higher score. It's simple to learn, deeply strategic to master, and perfectly suited for a quick break.
Ranked vs. free play
Each day brings a new ranked game with a deterministic starting board — the same initial tiles for every player. Complete it to build your streak and track your best score. Once the daily game is finished, switch to free play for unlimited rounds with random boards. Free games don't affect your streak or stats, so they're perfect for experimenting with new strategies.
Scoring
Every time two tiles merge, their combined value is added to your score. A 2+2 merge scores 4 points, a 128+128 merge scores 256, and so on. The key to a high score is building large tiles efficiently — every unnecessary move spawns a new tile that clutters the board. The best players routinely exceed 20,000 points in a single game.
Strategy tips
Keep your highest tile in a corner and build a chain of descending values along one edge. Avoid pushing your big tile out of the corner — once it drifts to the centre, the board gets chaotic fast. Try to keep one direction "free" (never slide that way) so your layout stays predictable. And remember: patience beats speed. Think two or three moves ahead before swiping.
The math behind 2048
Reaching 2048 requires a minimum of 938 tile merges if every spawn is a 2. In practice it takes far more moves because 4-tiles spawn 10% of the time and board geometry forces imperfect merges. The theoretical maximum tile on a 4×4 grid is 131,072, but reaching it would require extraordinary luck and perfect play over tens of thousands of moves.
Why it's addictive
2048 hits the sweet spot between simplicity and depth. Each game takes just a few minutes, but the "one more try" pull is strong. The sliding mechanics feel satisfying, the numbers grow in a way that feels rewarding, and there's always the tantalising possibility that this run will be your best. It's the perfect five-minute escape.