About Dots and Boxes with Friends
Dots and Boxes is a classic pen-and-paper game that gets even more chaotic with three or four players.
Two-player games use a 4×4 grid of boxes; three or four players get 5×5.
Dots and Boxes with Friends at a glance
| Genre | Multiplayer game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap, online or on one device |
| Typical game length | 5 to 20 minutes |
| Lives | None |
| Works on | Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser |
| Daily challenge | Yes, the same puzzle for everyone each day |
How to play Dots and Boxes with Friends
- Choose a mode. Pick how to play: Online with friends (create a room and share the link), Pass & play on one device, or vs Computer.
- Draw a line. Tap between two dots.
- Close a box. Claim it and draw again.
Rules
- The game ends when all lines are drawn.
- Online rooms hold 2 to 4 players. Moves appear instantly on every player's screen.
Levels and difficulty
2 to 4 players.
Scoring
Winning a game scores 1,000 points, a draw 300 and taking part 100. Share your result with the people you played. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Dots and Boxes with Friends
- Never draw the third side of a box.
- Count the chains near the end.
History of the game
The game was first described by Édouard Lucas in 1889.
How we built and tested Dots and Boxes with Friends
We tested every rule by having the computer play thousands of moves against itself at each player count, making sure every game ends properly and no illegal move is ever accepted. Online rooms were tested with two simulated players joining the same room and taking turns.
Frequently asked questions
How many players?
2 to 4.
How do I play with a friend online?
Choose "Play online with friends", then share the room link or code on WhatsApp. When your friend opens it, they join your room and you can start.
Do my friends need an account?
No. Guests are signed in anonymously in the background, so anyone with the link can join.