About Slide Puzzle
The sliding tile puzzle dates back to the 1870s and caused a worldwide craze in 1880. Today’s board starts scrambled: slide tiles into the gap until the numbers run in order with the gap in the bottom-right corner. Easy days use a 3×3 board, medium and hard days a 4×4 one.
How to play Slide Puzzle
- Tap a tile next to the gap to slide it in. You can also swipe on the board or use the arrow keys.
- Put the tiles in order, 1, 2, 3 … across each row, with the gap in the bottom-right corner.
- Easy is a 3×3 board; medium and hard are 4×4, with hard scrambled much further. Every board can be solved.
- Fewest slides wins, then the fastest time.
Tips & strategy
- Solve the top row first, then the left column; the board gets smaller as you go.
- Bring the last two tiles of a row in together as a pair rather than one at a time.
- Leave finished rows alone. Moving through them costs slides you will have to undo.
- Plan a few slides ahead, because every extra slide counts against you.
- When only a few tiles are out of place, look for a short loop of slides that cycles them home.
Slide Puzzle: questions and answers
Can every Slide Puzzle be solved?
Yes. Each board is made by sliding tiles away from the solved position, so it can always be put back.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. The arrow keys slide a tile into the gap in that direction.
How is Slide Puzzle ranked?
Fewest slides first, then the fastest time.
What does the finished board look like?
The tiles run in reading order, 1 to 8 on a 3×3 board or 1 to 15 on a 4×4 board, with the empty square in the bottom-right corner.