Sliding Puzzle
Slide numbered tiles around the empty space until they are back in order.
How to use: Tap a tile in the same row or column as the gap to slide it, or use the arrow keys or swipes.
How to play Sliding Puzzle
The sliding puzzle is a square tray of numbered tiles with one empty space. Only a tile next to the space can slide into it, so you have to shuffle tiles around to bring them back into order: 1, 2, 3 along the top row, and so on, with the empty space in the bottom-right corner. Every shuffle is guaranteed to be solvable.
Tap or click any tile in the same row or column as the gap and it slides, pushing the tiles in between along with it. With a keyboard, click the puzzle and press an arrow key to move the tile next to the gap in that direction. On a touch screen you can also swipe. Tiles already in their correct place are highlighted.
Choose 3×3 for a quick warm-up, 4×4 for the classic 15 puzzle or 5×5 for a real challenge. Your score is the number of moves, and the timer shows how long you took. A reliable method is to solve the top row first, then the left column, and repeat on the smaller puzzle that remains until only a 2×2 corner is left.
The puzzle has entertained people since the 1880s and is great practice for planning several moves ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is every puzzle solvable?
Yes. The tiles are shuffled with real slides from the solved position, so a solution always exists.
Can I move several tiles at once?
Yes. Tap a tile further along the same row or column as the gap and all tiles in between slide together.
What is the best strategy?
Solve the top row, then the left column, and keep shrinking the puzzle until a small corner is left.