Play Dots and Boxes Online

Play Dots and Boxes (Dot Connect) in your browser—no download, no sign-up. Take turns drawing lines between adjacent dots; complete a box to score and get another turn. Play against the computer on Easy, Medium, or Hard. Most boxes at the end wins.

What is Dots and Boxes?

Dots and Boxes is a classic pencil-and-paper game for two players. A grid of dots is drawn; players take turns adding a single line between two adjacent dots (horizontal or vertical). When a player completes the fourth side of a 1×1 square (box), they claim that box and score one point—and they get another turn. The game ends when every possible line has been drawn. The player with the most boxes wins.

How to Play

1. Choose a difficulty (Easy 3×3, Medium 5×5, or Hard 7×7). You can change it before starting; changing difficulty restarts the game.
2. Click an undrawn line between two adjacent dots. Your line appears in blue; the computer then takes its turn after a short delay (amber/yellow lines).
3. Complete a box by drawing the fourth side of any square. You score one point, the box is filled with your color, and you go again.
4. If your move does not complete a box, the turn passes to the computer. Same for the computer: if it completes a box, it keeps the turn.
5. The game ends when all lines are drawn. The player with more boxes wins; equal boxes is a draw.
6. Use Restart to start a new game on the same grid size.

Rules Summary

• Grid: Dots in a grid; you draw lines between adjacent dots (no diagonals).
• Turn: One line per turn (unless you complete a box).
• Box: When you draw the line that completes the fourth side of a square, you score 1 point and take another turn.
• End: When no lines remain. Highest score wins.

Difficulty Levels

• Easy (3×3 boxes) – Small grid. The computer plays randomly. Good for learning.
• Medium (5×5 boxes) – The computer tries to complete boxes when it can and avoids drawing the third side of a box (so it doesn’t give you an easy completion).
• Hard (7×7 boxes) – The computer uses look-ahead (minimax) to choose stronger moves and prefers completing boxes when possible.

Strategy Tips

• Complete boxes when you can – Especially when it doesn’t hand the opponent a chain of boxes.
• Avoid “giving” boxes – Try not to draw the third side of a box unless you must; otherwise the opponent can take the box and keep the turn.
• Chains – Sometimes you have to give a box; try to leave the board so that after the opponent takes one box, you can take several in a row.
• Center and edges – On larger grids, control and structure matter; think a move or two ahead.

Why Play Dots and Boxes Online?

Playing in the browser is free and works on any device. You don’t need an account—just open the page and play. You always have an opponent (the computer), and you can restart or change difficulty anytime. Great for a quick strategy game or for learning how the AI plays.