About Lights Out
Lights Out is a classic logic puzzle on a 5×5 grid of glowing lights. It looks simple, but each tap affects several lights, so you have to think in combinations.
There are 24 levels, each needing a few more taps than the last.
Lights Out at a glance
| Genre | Logic game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap |
| Typical game length | 5 to 10 minutes for 6 levels |
| 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 Lights Out
- Tap a light. It flips along with the 4 lights touching it.
- Turn them all off. Clear the board to finish the level.
- Plan ahead. Later levels need more taps.
Rules
- Restart resets the current level for free.
Levels and difficulty
24 levels, each generated from a few more random taps than the last, so every level is guaranteed solvable. Your progress is saved on your device, and you can replay any level you have unlocked.
Scoring
Each level scores more when it needs more taps, minus a penalty for extra moves. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Lights Out
- Use "light chasing": turn off each row by tapping the squares directly below its lit lights.
- Tapping the same light twice cancels itself out.
- The order of taps does not matter, only which lights you tap.
History of the game
Lights Out was released as an electronic handheld game by Tiger Electronics in 1995.
How we built and tested Lights Out
Every level is created by pressing random lights on a dark board, so each one is guaranteed to be solvable.
Frequently asked questions
Is every level solvable?
Yes, each is created from real presses on a dark board.
Does the order of taps matter?
No, only which lights you tap.