How to Play 2048 (Rules + Winning Habits)

Swipe, merge, and push your high score higher

2048 gameplay — beginner rules and strategy guide

At a glance: Slide numbered tiles on a grid. When two same numbers touch, they merge into one bigger number. Your job is to keep the board under control until you hit 2048—then keep going if you like.

2048 is easy to learn and hard to put down. Below: rules in plain English, then habits that help you stop losing early and actually beat yesterday’s score.

How to Play

Use your finger (mobile) or arrow keys (keyboard) to slide the tiles.
When two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into one!

Start playing now and see how high you can score!

Best score —

Best time —

Fewest moves —

Play history

No scores yet. Play a game to see your records here.

Tips for a Higher Score

Here are some beginner-friendly strategies:

Keep your largest tile in a corner
This keeps your board stable and prevents random merges.
Plan your moves ahead
Avoid sliding randomly — think one or two moves forward.
Maintain empty spaces
A full board leads to game over. Always leave yourself room to move.

View the Full 2048 Strategy Guide