Online logic game

2048: merge matching tiles and reach 2048

Also known as: 2048, 2048 game, 2048 puzzle

Slide the tiles on a 4 × 4 board: two equal tiles merge into one. There’s no timer, and the game goes on as long as you have moves left. You can play 10 minutes a day without signing up.

Go to the game ↓

No timerwhile moves remain
4×4 board16 cells
No sign-up10 minutes a day
Progress30-day chart

What it trains

Why play 2048

The puzzle puts your planning to work: every move shifts all the tiles at once, and a new tile appears after it. To build big tiles, you have to think a couple of moves ahead and keep the board in order, for example by gathering the largest tiles in one corner.

In your account the game is simply called “2048”. Once you sign up, every game is saved: you see your score, your best tile and the number of moves, and a 30-day chart shows how your results change.

You act on a hunch and clean up the mess laterIn 2048 a move can’t be undone
You want to unwind without rushingNo timer, take as long as you need
You like puzzles but not complicated rulesThere’s one rule: equal tiles merge
You want to play on your phoneSwipes work right in the browser

Planning

A good game is built several moves ahead.

Keeping the board tidy

Big tiles are easier to handle in one corner, where they don’t get stuck.

Powers of two

2, 4, 8 and on up to 2048: you can see how far you are from the next tile.

Patience

The game lasts as long as you can keep the board under control.

Rules

How to play

Start
Two tiles, a 2 or a 4, appear on the 4 × 4 board.
Move
Slide the tiles with the arrow keys, WASD, a swipe on the board or the buttons below it. All tiles slide as far as they can in that direction.
Merge
When two equal tiles collide, they become one: 2 and 2 make 4, 4 and 4 make 8. The value of the new tile is added to your score.
New tile
After every move a 2, or now and then a 4, appears in an empty cell. A move that doesn’t shift anything doesn’t count.
Game over
Once you reach 2048, you can keep playing. The game ends when no moves are left, or when you press “End game” twice.

Play online

Play 2048 online

Slide the tiles with the arrow keys or a swipe. Without signing up you get 10 minutes of play a day.

2048

Slide the tiles: matching ones merge into one. Make the 2048 tile, or score as many points as you can.

Free play left today without signing up: 10 min

Method

Where the game comes from

2048 was created by Italian developer Gabriele Cirulli in 2014 and quickly became one of the best-known number puzzles. The rules here are the classic ones: a 4 × 4 board, all tiles slide together, equal tiles merge.

If you enjoy thinking several moves ahead, try Tower: you move balls to match a target picture in as few moves as possible. To look for patterns in numbers, try Number Sequences.

4×4Board16 cells, so free space runs out fast

2 / 4New tilesA 2 appears after every move, a 4 roughly one time in ten

2048GoalOnce you’ve built it, you can keep playing for points

Who it’s for

Which ages

Adults

A calm puzzle with no timer: the game lasts as long as you can keep the board under control.

Kids

The game isn’t in the “Kids” collection. The rule is simple, but long games with no timer take patience. Better for older children.

60+

The game isn’t in the “60+” collection. If you like calm puzzles, 2048 is a good fit: there’s no timer, and you can think over each move as long as you like.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How long does a game last?

There’s no timer. The game goes on while there are moves left on the board, or until you press “End game” twice in a row.

What happens when I reach 2048?

You’ll see “2048! You can keep going”, and the game continues. Your score keeps growing.

How is the score counted?

Every merge adds the value of the new tile to your score: two 8s make a 16, and 16 points are added.

Why isn’t 2048 in the daily workout?

The daily workout and Mix are made of short timed exercises, and 2048 has no timer. That’s why you launch it on its own from the catalog.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes, just swipe across the board in the direction you want. On a computer, the arrow keys and WASD work.

Save your results and track your progress

Free sign-up: round history, a chart by skill and a daily workout of 5 exercises. No credit card needed.

All trainers

2048: merge matching tiles and reach 2048