2048

Tips for 2048

The strongest habit in 2048 is to choose a corner and keep your biggest tile in it. Line up the row beside it with tiles in descending order, so each merge feeds the next one towards the corner, and avoid the one direction that would pull the big tile out. Every move also drops a new 2 or 4 into a free square, and the board fills faster than it clears, so before chasing a merge think about the space you will need a few moves later. A move that keeps the board tidy is often worth more than a merge that scatters it.

Save the undo for real mistakes: it takes back one move, so it rescues a single bad slide, not a run of them. If you are new, start on the classic 4x4, then try the 5x5 and 6x6 boards when you want more room to work with. Each board size keeps its own best score and biggest tile, so a record on 6x6 is not compared with your 4x4 one.

How to play 2048

The goal in 2048 is to slide and merge numbered tiles until one of them shows 2048. The game starts with a few small tiles on the board. Choose your board first: the classic 4x4, or the larger 5x5 and 6x6.

Each move slides every tile on the board as far as it can go in one direction: up, down, left or right. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one tile showing their sum, so two 2s make a 4, two 4s make an 8, and so on through 16, 32 and 64 upwards. A tile can merge only once per move. After every move a new 2 or 4 appears in a free square, so the board keeps filling up.

Your score grows as you merge tiles, and the tiles glow hotter as the numbers climb. The game ends when the board is full and no move can merge any tiles. When a 2048 tile appears you have reached the goal, and you can stop there or keep playing for 4096.

On a computer you slide the tiles with the arrow keys or WASD. On a phone or tablet you swipe in the direction you want. U undoes your last move, N starts a new game and M mutes the sound.

About 2048

2048 is a sliding number puzzle that became a modern classic on the web and on phones. It is easy to learn, since every move is just a slide in one of four directions, but reaching the 2048 tile takes planning, because the board fills up a little after every move. Kiloo's 2048 plays the classic rules on the 4x4 board and adds roomier 5x5 and 6x6 boards.

It suits anyone who likes a short puzzle with a clear target, and it works for a quick game or a long session aiming at 4096. The larger boards give you more space to build long chains, which makes them a good step for players who have mastered the classic size. One undo is always there for the slide you regret, and a new board is one key away. Your best score and biggest tile are saved for each board size in your browser, so you can try to beat your own record in 2048 every time you come back.

Frequently asked questions