How to Play
Slide numbered tiles on a 4x4 grid. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one tile with their sum. Reach the 2048 tile to win!
- Arrow keys or swipe to slide all tiles in a direction
- After each move, a new tile (2 or 4) appears in a random empty spot
- The game ends when no more moves are possible
- After reaching 2048 you can keep playing to chase higher tiles
Scoring
Your score increases by the value of each merged tile. For example, merging two 16s adds 32 to your score. Your best score is saved automatically.
Strategy Tips
- Pick a corner and keep your highest tile there
- Build a chain of descending values along one edge
- Avoid moving in the direction that pulls your big tile away from its corner
- Keep the board as clear as possible — a full board limits your options
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of 2048?
The goal is to slide and merge numbered tiles on a 4x4 grid until you create a tile with the value 2048. You can continue playing after winning to reach even higher values.
What is the best strategy for 2048?
Keep your highest tile in one corner and build a chain of descending values along one edge. Avoid moves that pull your big tile away from its corner.
How is the score calculated?
Your score increases by the value of each merged tile. For example, merging two 16 tiles adds 32 to your score. Your best score is saved automatically.
Can I play 2048 on mobile?
Yes. The game fully supports swipe controls on touch devices. Swipe up, down, left, or right to slide all tiles in that direction.
Is my progress saved if I close the browser?
Yes. The game saves your current board state and best score automatically in your browser, so you can resume where you left off.
About
2048 was created by Gabriele Cirulli in 2014 as a weekend project. It quickly went viral and has been played hundreds of millions of times worldwide. The game is inspired by "Threes!" by Asher Vollmer.
Our version features swipe controls for mobile, arrow key support for desktop, score tracking, best score persistence, a timer, and statistics. It works offline and saves your progress automatically.
From the build: the original web 2048 has a well-known issue where a fast diagonal swipe on mobile registers as the wrong direction roughly one move in three — bad enough to lose runs over. We rewrote the swipe handler to score gestures on velocity rather than raw delta, which means a clean left-leaning swipe stays left even if your thumb drifts slightly. We also tuned the merge-and-spawn animation timing to 100ms instead of the more common 150ms; the original feels nicer, but after watching a few experienced players, the faster pace removed enough delay between moves that long chains stopped feeling laggy.