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15 Puzzle · Sliding Number Puzzle

Slide each number into its place, one tile at a time. Enjoy a calm puzzle with one empty space and boards from 3×3 to 5×5.

No installationDesktop · mobile
ReadyTime played 00:00

Preparing your game…

Select a tile beside the empty space. On the board, arrow keys or WASD move the empty space; Ctrl/Cmd+Z undoes one move.

Play stays in this browser. A new game, page reload or language change resets progress. Scores and input are not sent to a server.

How to play

  1. Choose a 3×3, 4×4 or 5×5 board. Every puzzle is shuffled by legal moves from the solved arrangement, so it can be solved.
  2. Select a tile directly above, below, left or right of the empty space to slide it. Arrow keys and WASD move the empty space.
  3. Put the numbers in order from the top left and leave the empty space at the bottom right. See how many moves and how much time you need.

Good to know

Try completing the top row and left column first. Undo reverses your last move and subtracts one from the move count.

Restart returns to the same arrangement; New game creates another. Changing board size or language, or reloading the page, clears your progress.

Play without signing in or submitting a score.

PLAY & LEARN

15 Puzzle · Sliding Number Puzzle · Rules and strategy

A sliding number puzzle uses one empty space to put tiles in order. Practice on different board sizes, including the familiar 4×4 fifteen puzzle. Choosing a row or column to complete is more useful than simply chasing the gap.

Rules and controls

Only a tile directly above, below, left or right of the gap can move. Arrange numbers in reading order with the empty cell at the bottom-right. Restart the same board or undo a move to explore a different solution.

A useful first strategy

Work on the upper rows while using small cycles to preserve completed areas. For the last two rows, think about rotating several tiles together rather than fixing one tile at a time. Boards here are scrambled through actual legal moves.

Worked example

If the gap is at the bottom-right, its left neighbor can slide right into it. A diagonally adjacent tile cannot jump directly into the gap.

Frequently asked questions

Is every random arrangement solvable?

No. Arbitrary permutations can be impossible. This game starts from a solved board and shuffles with legal moves, so its generated starting positions are solvable.

Does sharing send my current game?

Share sends the game address in the current language. It does not copy your board, nickname or score.