About Slide Puzzle
The sliding puzzle is a timeless brain teaser. There are 24 levels: 3×3 boards first, then the famous 4×4 "15 puzzle", then 5×5.
You can slide a whole row or column at once by tapping a tile further from the gap.
Slide Puzzle at a glance
| Genre | Puzzle game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap |
| Typical game length | 5 to 10 minutes for 3 puzzles |
| 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 Slide Puzzle
- Tap a tile. Tiles in line with the gap slide toward it.
- Put them in order. 1, 2, 3 across the top, and so on.
- Climb through 24 levels. Two 3×3, then a 4×4.
Rules
- Only tiles in the same row or column as the gap can move.
Levels and difficulty
24 levels: five on 3×3, ten on 4×4 and nine on 5×5. Your progress is saved on your device, and you can replay any level you have unlocked.
Scoring
Each puzzle scores more on larger boards, minus a little for moves and time. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Slide Puzzle
- Solve the top row first, then the left column, and work inward.
- Place the last two tiles of a row together.
- Do not disturb solved rows.
History of the game
The 15 puzzle became a craze in the United States in 1880; it is usually credited to postmaster Noyes Palmer Chapman.
How we built and tested Slide Puzzle
Every puzzle is shuffled using only legal slides from the solved position, so every puzzle is guaranteed to be solvable.
Frequently asked questions
Is every puzzle solvable?
Yes. They are shuffled with legal moves from a solved board.
Can I move several tiles at once?
Yes, tap a tile further along the same row or column.