2048
100% FreeNo sign-upUse the arrow keys or swipe to slide the tiles. Equal tiles merge. Reach 2048 to win — highest tile so far: 0.
Play the classic 2048 sliding-tile puzzle free online. Slide the board with your arrow keys or a swipe, merge matching numbers and keep doubling up until you build the 2048 tile. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing to install and no account, and your best score is saved on your own device.
How to play 2048
Each move slides every tile in one direction until it hits a wall or another tile. When two tiles with the same number collide, they fuse into a single tile worth double, and you score those points. A fresh 2 (now and then a 4) drops onto an empty square after every move. Keep sliding and merging to grow the numbers.
How to win — and keep going
The goal is the 2048 tile, made by merging two 1024s. Reach it and you have won, but you do not have to stop: choose “Keep going” to push for 4096, 8192 and higher. The game ends only when the board is full and no neighbouring tiles match, so no move is possible.
Controls
On a keyboard, use the arrow keys or W, A, S and D. On a touch screen, swipe up, down, left or right anywhere on the board. One key press or swipe moves the entire board together.
Strategy tips
Choose a corner and keep your biggest tile locked there. Build a descending staircase of values along the edge leading to it, and favour just two directions so the pattern holds. Only slide the other way when you must, and never make a move that pops your largest tile out of its corner. Plan a move or two ahead before the board gets crowded.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The whole game runs on your device. Your current board and your best score are stored in your browser only — close the tab and your game is still there when you return. There is no sign-up and nothing is sent to Zerdly.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play 2048?
Every move slides all the tiles as far as they will go in one direction — up, down, left or right. When two tiles showing the same number touch, they merge into one tile with double the value. A new 2 (occasionally a 4) appears after each move. Keep merging to build bigger numbers and reach the 2048 tile.
How do you win 2048?
You win the moment a 2048 tile is created. You can stop there or choose “Keep going” to chase a higher score — 4096, 8192 and beyond — until the board fills up with no moves left.
What are the controls?
On a computer use the arrow keys (or W, A, S, D). On a phone or tablet, swipe up, down, left or right anywhere on the board. Every swipe or key press moves the whole board at once.
Is my score saved?
Your best score and your current game are saved in your browser, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off. Nothing is uploaded and there is no account — it all stays on your device.
What is a good 2048 strategy?
Pick one corner and keep your largest tile there, then build a decreasing chain along that edge. Move mostly in two directions to hold the pattern, and avoid the fourth direction that would break your big tile out of its corner.
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