Game guide
How to play 2048
In 2048 you slide every tile on the 4×4 grid at once. Two tiles with the same number that touch become one, with their sum; the goal is to reach the 2048 tile before the grid fills up.
Updated on October 3, 2026
The rules in 3 lines
- 01
Swipe
Up, down, left or right. All the tiles move together to the edge.
- 02
Equal tiles merge
Two tiles with the same number that touch become one, with their sum (2 + 2 = 4). The sum is added to your score.
- 03
A new tile every move
A 2 (sometimes a 4) appears in an empty cell. The game ends when the grid is full and no move is possible.
How to play
On your phone
- Swipe anywhere in the game area.
- Or use the four arrows below the grid.
- The “⋯” menu has New game.
On a keyboard
- ← ↑ → ↓ move the tiles.
- Esc closes the “⋯” menu.
Step-by-step example
One swipe to the left:
Before
After ←
Each tile merges only once per move, starting from the edge you swipe toward:
Before
After ←
Before
After ←
Beginner strategies
- Pick a corner. Keep your biggest tile in one corner (bottom left, for example) and avoid moving it out.
- Stick to two directions. With the bottom-left corner, alternate ↓ and ←; use → when you must and ↑ only as a last resort.
- Build an ordered row. Next to the biggest tile, the second biggest, then the third. That way merges cascade down.
- Think one move ahead. Before you swipe, check where the new tile could appear and whether it would block a merge.
Common mistakes
- Moving the corner. A swipe in the wrong direction pulls the biggest tile out of its corner and leaves a 2 in its place.
- Merging everything in sight. A small merge far from the corner can scatter your tiles.
- Letting small tiles fill the grid. Merge the 2s and 4s early, close to your row.
- Thinking the game ends at 2048. The 2048 tile gets a celebration, but you can keep playing and scoring.
Levels and scoring
There are no levels. Your score is points: each merge adds the value of the tile it creates. Your record is your highest score.
Frequently asked questions
No. The 2048 tile gets highlighted and you can keep going. The game only ends when no move is possible.
Each merge adds the number on the new tile: merging two 4s gives 8 points.
No. That is why it pays to think one step ahead.
Yes. Your game is saved on this device and shows up as “Continue” in the games list.
IQNorth games are a pastime with a challenge. Practice makes you better at this game; it does not raise your IQ or your memory, and nothing here is a consultation with a psychologist. The games are in the member area.
Guides for the other games
Sudoku · Word search · Sun and Moon · Colors · Sequence · Challenges · Blocks · Pairs · One Line · Shape Fit · Sum Maze · Pipes
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