How to Play 2048

THE PLAYBOOK · HNZKBY

Understand the basics of 2048

Choose a round of 2048 and settle into its rules. Reach a 2048 tile, then continue as long as a legal move remains. A full board with no adjacent equal tiles ends the round. Use the example below to understand a decision. Begin with the solo mode shown on the page. Look at what changes after your first action.

One thing to notice as you play

Choose one rule to keep in mind for this round. Apply it consistently rather than guessing what another version might allow. Notice the feedback after each input.

What the game asks you to do

Reach a 2048 tile, then continue as long as a legal move remains. A full board with no adjacent equal tiles ends the round. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Follow this game’s rules rather than another version’s.

Making your moves

1. Move the board using an arrow key, swipe, or a direction button.
2. Equal adjacent tiles combine once per move; their new value is added to your score.
3. Keep an empty lane where possible. Undo reverses the most recent move.
4. Use New round to begin with two tiles.

The controls to know

Use arrow keys, swipe across the board, or tap the four direction buttons. Read a button’s label before selecting it. A new-round button replaces the current round.

A closer look at one example

Moving [2, 2, 2, 2] left produces [4, 4, 0, 0], not [8, 0, 0, 0]. Each tile merges at most once in that move. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Consider the next action carefully.

Notice this detail

A swipe that leaves the board unchanged does not add a new tile. Check the rule before repeating the action. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.

Questions about this game