2048

About 2048

Slide numbered tiles on a 4×4 grid and merge matching numbers to reach the elusive 2048 tile. Simple to learn, surprisingly deep to master.

How to Play 2048

Swipe or use arrow keys to slide all tiles in one direction. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one with their combined value. Keep merging to build larger numbers. Reach 2048 to win, but you can keep going for the high score!

History of 2048

2048 was created by 19-year-old Italian developer Gabriele Cirulli over a single weekend in March 2014 and released as a free browser game. Within a week it had been played over 4 million times, becoming one of the fastest-spreading viral games in internet history. Cirulli built it in his spare time as a programming exercise, inspired by the similar games Threes! and 1024. The deceptively simple mechanic of sliding and merging numbered tiles has made it a staple of browser gaming — play it for free online here with no download needed.

Tips & Tricks

• 1.Always choose one corner as your "anchor" and never move your highest tile away from it.
• 2.Build a descending chain from the corner — each tile should be roughly half the value of its neighbor.
• 3.Avoid swiping up or against your chain direction unless absolutely necessary.
• 4.When the board is nearly full, prioritize clearing the lowest-value tiles to open up space.
• 5.Patience wins: sometimes passing on an easy merge now sets up a much bigger chain later.