2048

How to use it

1. 1

   Slide the tiles

   Press an arrow key, or swipe on a touch screen. Every tile slides as far as it can in that direction, and a new tile appears.

2. 2

   Merge matching numbers

   When two tiles with the same number collide, they merge into their sum. Two 2s make a 4, two 4s make an 8, and so on up.

3. 3

   Reach 2048

   Keep merging to grow your biggest tile. Make the 2048 tile to win, then keep going for a higher score if you like.

When it comes in handy

Frequently asked questions

How do you play 2048?

Use the arrow keys or swipe to slide all the tiles in one direction. Tiles with the same number merge into one when they touch, doubling in value, and a new 2 or 4 appears after each move. The aim is to combine tiles up to a 2048 tile.

What is the best strategy for 2048?

Pick one corner and keep your largest tile there, then build the rest of your big tiles along the same edge. Move mostly in two directions to hold that structure, and avoid pressing the fourth direction that would break it. This keeps tiles ordered so they merge cleanly instead of scattering.

When does the game end?

The game is over when the grid is full and no two neighbouring tiles share a number, so no move would change anything. Reaching 2048 wins, but you can choose to keep playing afterwards to push your score higher.

Is it possible to get a tile higher than 2048?

Yes. Nothing stops at 2048, it is just the target. Merge two 2048 tiles and you get 4096, then 8192 and beyond. The highest tile you can reach on a standard 4x4 board is 65536, though almost nobody gets there. To push past 2048, keep your largest tile pinned in a corner and build a descending row of tiles next to it so they merge down the line one after another.