Tic-Tac-Toe
Play Tic-Tac-Toe free in your browser against a friend on the same screen, or against a computer that plays perfectly and never loses. Take turns marking the 3x3 grid and try to get three in a row. A running score tracker keeps count across games, and you can restart instantly.
Play tic-tac-toe online free, the classic noughts and crosses game also called Xs and Os. Take turns marking the 3x3 grid and try to get three of your marks in a row before your opponent does. Play a friend in two-player mode on the same screen, or take on a computer that plays perfectly and cannot be beaten, only drawn. There is no download and no sign-up, and a score tracker keeps a running tally so you can play a best-of series.
- Free, with no ads in the way
- No sign-up, no app
- Plays instantly in your browser
- Scores stay on your device
- Works offline after first load
You (X)
0
Draws
0
CPU (O)
0
The computer plays a perfect game and never loses. Aim for the draw.
How to use it
- 1
Pick a mode
Choose two-player to play a friend on one screen, or take on the computer. In computer mode it plays an unbeatable strategy.
- 2
Take your turns
Click an empty square to place your mark. You and your opponent alternate between X and O until someone makes a line or the board fills.
- 3
Get three in a row
Line up three of your marks in a row, column or diagonal to win. The score tracker counts wins, losses and draws across games.
When it comes in handy
A quick two-player game
It is the fastest way to settle something with a friend, with nothing to set up and a game over in seconds.
Testing the perfect player
The computer never loses, so the real challenge is whether you can force the draws and avoid the traps.
Teaching strategy
It is a clear first example of thinking a move ahead, which makes it a good game to play with a child learning to plan.
Free, private & 100% in your browser
The game runs right here in your browser. There is no sign-up and no limit on how many rounds you play, your scores stay on your own device, and once the page has loaded it keeps working even with no connection.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the computer be beaten?
- No. The computer uses a strategy that considers every possible continuation and always picks a move that cannot lose. With perfect play from both sides, Tic-Tac-Toe is always a draw, so the best you can do against the computer is force a tie.
- How do you force a draw against a perfect player?
- Reply to the centre by taking a corner, always block the opponent the moment they have two in a line, and look out for moves that create two threats at once so you can stop them before they appear. Play those correctly and the game ends in a draw every time.
- Can I play against another person?
- Yes. Two-player mode lets you and a friend share one screen, taking turns as X and O. The score tracker keeps a running tally of how many games each of you has won, so a session can be a best-of series.
- Is it better to go first, and where should you open?
- Going first is a real advantage because you get one more mark on the board. The strongest opening is a corner, not the centre. If your opponent then fails to take the centre, a corner opening can set up two separate three-in-a-row threats at once, and since they can only block one, you win. Against a perfect player every game still ends in a draw.
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