What is 2048?
2048 is the original sliding tile puzzle created by Italian developer Gabriele Cirulli in 2014. It became a viral hit and this site is still the official home of the game, now with a refreshed design and mobile apps.
You play on a four by four grid. Each swipe or arrow key slides every tile in that direction, and two tiles with the same number merge into one with double the value. A new tile appears after every move, so the challenge is to keep the board from filling up while you work your way towards 2048 and beyond.
Main Features
- The original 2048 by Gabriele Cirulli
- Play with arrow keys or swipe on a phone
- Tracks your current score and best score
- Keep playing after you reach 2048
- Installable as a web app
- Official iOS and Android apps also available
How to Get Started with 2048
- Go to play2048.co.
- Press an arrow key or swipe to slide all the tiles.
- Merge matching numbers to double them.
- Keep the grid from filling up and aim for the 2048 tile.
2048 Pricing
The classic game is free to play in the browser and shows ads. There is an optional paid upgrade with extra features, and the mobile apps are separate downloads.
Who Should Use It?
- Anyone who wants a quick puzzle break
- Fans of number and logic games
- Players chasing a personal high score
- Students learning powers of two in a fun way
2048 Alternatives
- The Higher Lower Game: guess which search is bigger
- The Password Game: a puzzle with escalating rules
- Odd One Out: spot the odd item out
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2048 free?
Yes. The original 2048 is free to play in your browser with ads. An optional paid upgrade adds extras.
Who made 2048?
Gabriele Cirulli created 2048 in 2014, and play2048.co is its official site.
Can you keep playing after reaching 2048?
Yes. When you make the 2048 tile you can continue and try for 4096 and higher.