2048

2048: free to play in your browser

2048 is a sliding number puzzle on a 4 by 4 grid. Every move slides all the tiles as far as they can go in one direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one tile worth their total. After each move a new 2 or 4 appears in an empty square.

The goal is to build a tile worth 2048 before the board locks up, and when you get there you can keep going for a bigger score. It is a calm, single-player brain teaser that takes a minute to learn and much longer to master, and it suits a short break as well as a long session.

How to play

1. Slide the tiles with a controller stick or d-pad, the arrow keys or WASD, or swipe on a touchscreen.
2. Match two tiles with the same number to merge them into one.
3. Each merge adds the new tile's value to your score.
4. Keep merging upwards: 2, 4, 8, 16 and so on until you reach 2048.
5. Made a mistake? Undo your last move with B on a controller, or Z or Backspace on the keyboard. You get up to three undos in a row.
6. The game is over when the grid is full and no neighbouring tiles match.

Game modes

Classic

A single 4 by 4 board for one player. Reach 2048 to win, then choose to keep going for a higher score.

Tips

• Pick one corner for your biggest tile and keep it there.
• Favour two directions, such as left and down, and only use the others when you have to.
• Keep the row along your chosen corner full so a stray move cannot drag the big tile out.
• Build a descending chain of values next to the corner tile so merges cascade into it.
• Most new tiles are 2s, with the occasional 4, so leave a little space for them to land where they are useful.

Questions