# 2048 > 2048 is a sliding number puzzle on a 4×4 grid. Each move slides every tile in one direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one tile with their sum. The goal is to build a tile worth 2048, then keep going for a higher score. - Play it free: https://taprusharcade.com/games/2048.html - Guide updated: 2026-10-19 - Categories: Classic games, Puzzle games ## 2048 at a glance - **Type:** Number puzzle - **Players:** 1 - **How long:** 5–20 minutes a game - **Skills:** Planning, pattern building - **Daily puzzle:** No, play any time - **Controls:** Keyboard, mouse or touch - **Works on:** Phones, tablets and computers in a web browser - **Price:** Free, no download or account ## Controls - ↑ ↓ ← →: Slide the tiles (or W, A, S, D) - Touch: Swipe on the board in any direction. ## How to play 2048 The 4×4 board starts with two tiles. Each move slides every tile as far as it can go in one direction. When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into one tile with their sum: two 2s make a 4, two 4s make an 8, and so on. A tile can only merge once per move. After every move a new tile appears in an empty square, usually a 2 and sometimes a 4. Reach the 2048 tile to win a bonus, then keep playing for a higher score. The round ends when the board is full and no neighbouring tiles match. Use the arrow keys or W, A, S and D, or swipe on a touch screen. You have three undos per game, each taking back your last move. ## 2048 scoring Every merge adds the value of the new tile to your score, so merging two 64s scores 128. Reaching 2048 for the first time adds a 1,000-point bonus. There is no clock. The Streak counter shows how many merges your last move made. ## 2048 strategy and tips 1. Pick a corner and keep your biggest tile there. 2. Use mostly two directions, such as down and left, and a third only when you have to. Avoid the direction that pulls your big tile out of its corner. 3. Build a chain along the edge in falling order, for example 256, 128, 64, 32, so each merge feeds the next. 4. Keep the row with your big tile full so it cannot slide unexpectedly. 5. Save your undos for the move that breaks your corner, not for small mistakes. ## Common 2048 mistakes - **Moving your biggest tile out of its corner.** One stray move can leave a 2 stuck where your largest tile used to be. - **Using all four directions evenly.** Stick to two or three directions so the board keeps its shape. - **Merging small tiles far from your chain.** Merges that do not feed your main row leave scattered tiles that block the board. - **Spending undos on small slips.** You get three per game; keep them for the move that breaks your corner. ## History of 2048 2048 was created by the Italian web developer Gabriele Cirulli and released for free in March 2014. He built it in a weekend, inspired by the mobile game Threes and an earlier clone called 1024, and published the code as open source, which is why so many versions exist today. Our version follows the original rules: new tiles are usually 2s and sometimes 4s, each tile merges only once per move, and the round ends when the board is full with no matching neighbours. We added three undos per game and a 1,000-point bonus for reaching 2048. ## 2048: questions and answers ### What happens after 2048? You get a 1,000-point bonus and can keep going to 4096 and beyond until no moves are left. ### How do I play 2048 on a phone? Swipe on the board. The page does not scroll while your finger is on the board. ### Can I undo a move? Yes, three times per game. Each undo takes back one move. ### Is 2048 free? Yes. It runs in your browser with no download, account or ads inside the game. ### What is the best strategy for 2048? Keep your biggest tile in one corner, use mostly two directions, and build a falling chain along the edge so each merge feeds the next. ### How often does a 4 appear? About one new tile in ten is a 4; the rest are 2s. ## Play next - [Cosmic Merge Drop](https://taprusharcade.com/games/cosmic-merge-drop.md): Drop and merge worlds into a black hole. - [Bloom Blocks](https://taprusharcade.com/games/bloom-blocks.md): Place shapes, clear lines, keep room open. - [Snake](https://taprusharcade.com/games/snake.md): Eat, grow longer and never hit your own tail.