2048

How to play

2048 is a number-merging puzzle. Slide tiles on a 4×4 grid using arrow keys, WASD, or swipe; when two tiles with the same number touch, they merge into their sum. The goal is to reach 2048 — but most players keep going for 4096, 8192, and beyond.

Rules

• The board is 4×4 and starts with 2 random tiles (each 2 or 4).
• Use arrow keys, WASD, or swipe to slide all tiles in one direction.
• Two tiles with the same value merge into their sum on collision.
• Each tile can only merge once per move.
• After a valid move, a new tile appears in a random empty cell (90% chance 2, 10% chance 4).
• Reach 2048 to win — or keep going for higher tiles.
• Game ends when the board is full and no adjacent tiles can merge.

Strategy tips

• Pick a corner (most players use bottom-left or bottom-right) and keep your largest tile there at all times.
• Stick to two directions (e.g. 'down' and 'left') and avoid pressing 'up' — that breaks the structure.
• Build a descending 'snake' chain so each tile is next to its half.
• Don't fill the board; an empty cell is always a future merge.
• Fast merges early aren't always good — structure matters more than score.

FAQ

Is 2048 free?

Yes. This site is completely free, no signup, no download. Open the page and play.

Does my progress save?

Your best score is stored in your browser's localStorage. Clearing browser data will reset it.

Can I play on mobile?

Yes. Swipe in any direction on the board to move tiles.

What's the highest tile possible?

There's no hard cap. The known world record is 131072 (2^17) — but reaching it takes extreme patience and skill.