Tips & answers
Strategy that actually helps
- Pick a corner and commit. Keep your largest tile locked in one corner and build a descending row towards it.
- Use two or three directions. If your big tile sits bottom-left, favour left and down moves and treat up as a last resort.
- Keep the anchor row full. A gap in the row holding your biggest tile is what lets it get displaced.
- Merge small tiles early. Clearing 2s and 4s keeps space free for the merges that matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2048 free to play?
Yes. The game runs entirely in your browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.
Does my progress get saved?
Your current board, best scores and settings are stored locally in your own browser. They never leave your device, and clearing your browser data will reset them.
Can I play offline?
Yes. After your first visit the game is cached, so it keeps working without a connection. You can also install it as an app from your browser menu.
Can I change the board size?
Any size from 3 × 3 to 8 × 8, from the picker above the board. Each size keeps its own best score.
What is the highest possible tile?
On a 4 × 4 board the theoretical maximum is 131072, which requires an almost perfect game. Larger boards raise that ceiling considerably.