Play Sliding Puzzle Online

Play the classic Sliding Puzzle (also known as the 15 Puzzle) free in your browser -- no download required. Slide numbered tiles around a grid to arrange them in order. Choose from multiple grid sizes and challenge yourself to solve it in fewer moves.

The sliding puzzle is one of the oldest and most satisfying logic games ever invented. A grid of numbered tiles has one empty space, and you slide adjacent tiles into that space to rearrange them. The goal is to put every tile in sequential order, from 1 in the top-left corner to the last number in the bottom-right, with the empty space in the final position.

How to Play

1. Choose a grid size -- 3x3, 4x4 (the classic 15 Puzzle), or 5x5 for an extra challenge.
2. The tiles start in a shuffled position.
3. Click or tap a tile adjacent to the empty space to slide it into the gap.
4. Continue sliding tiles until all numbers are arranged in order from left to right, top to bottom.
5. The game tracks your move count and elapsed time.
6. Try to beat your personal best by solving the puzzle in fewer moves or less time.

Rules

• Only tiles directly adjacent to the empty space (up, down, left, or right) can be moved.
• Each slide counts as one move.
• The puzzle is solved when tiles read 1 through N in order, with the blank in the bottom-right corner.
• All shuffled starting positions in this game are guaranteed to be solvable.
• The timer starts when you make your first move and stops when the puzzle is complete.

Tips & Strategy

• Solve row by row. Start by placing the top row in the correct order, then work downward. This systematic approach prevents you from undoing your own progress.
• Handle the last two rows together. The bottom two rows need to be solved simultaneously using a specific cycling technique to avoid deadlocks.
• Corner pieces first. Within each row, place corner tiles before filling in the middle.
• Count your moves. Efficiency matters. Fewer moves generally means a cleaner solving technique. Aim to reduce your move count with each attempt.
• Start small. If you are new to sliding puzzles, master the 3x3 grid before moving to 4x4 or 5x5.

FAQ

What is the 15 Puzzle?

The 15 Puzzle is the classic 4x4 version of the sliding puzzle with tiles numbered 1 through 15 and one empty space. You can play it online for free right here in your browser, along with other grid sizes.

Is every sliding puzzle solvable?

Not every random arrangement is solvable -- exactly half of all possible tile permutations have a solution. However, this browser game only generates solvable shuffles, so every puzzle you start can be completed.

How many moves does it take to solve?

A 3x3 puzzle can always be solved in 31 moves or fewer. The 4x4 puzzle (15 Puzzle) can require up to 80 moves in the worst case, though most shuffles can be solved in far fewer. Practice and strategy help you bring your move count down.