How to Play
- Choose a tray size: 3×3 (8 tiles), 4×4 (15 tiles) or 5×5 (24 tiles).
- Tap any tile in the same row or column as the empty gap. That tile, and any tiles between it and the gap, slide over by one square.
- You can also swipe on the tray or press an arrow key to push the tile next to the gap in that direction.
- Arrange the numbers in reading order — 1 in the top-left corner — with the gap finishing in the bottom-right corner.
- Tiles that are already in their home square turn violet with a small tick, so you can see your progress.
Rules
Only tiles next to the gap, or in a straight line with it, can move. Each tile that moves counts as one move, so sliding three tiles in one tap adds three to your count. Your score is the total number of moves, and a lower score is better. A timer also runs from your first slide, just for fun.
Every tray is mixed up by making hundreds of random legal slides from the finished picture. That means every puzzle here can always be solved — you will never be handed an impossible layout — and no tray ever starts already sorted.
Tips & Strategy
- Finish the top row first, then the left column. Once they are done, never touch them again. Each finished row and column shrinks a 5×5 into a 4×4, and a 4×4 into a 3×3.
- Place the last two tiles of a row together. Trying to push the final tile straight in breaks the row. Instead, park the last tile below its spot, slot the second-last tile into the corner, then rotate both in with one smooth loop.
- Think of the gap as your cursor. You are really steering the empty square around. Plan where the gap needs to be before you move the tile you care about.
- Circle tiles around, do not drag them. To move a tile a long way, walk the gap around it in small loops. It feels slow, but it keeps finished tiles safe.
- Use multi-tile taps to save time, not moves. Sliding a whole row at once is quick on the clock, but each tile still counts, so plan the slide before you tap.
Game Modes
3×3 is a gentle warm-up that most players solve in a minute or two. 4×4 is the famous fifteen-tile version and the best test of planning. 5×5 is a real marathon, with twenty-four tiles to sort.
The Daily Challenge is a 4×4 tray that is mixed exactly the same way for every player on that day, so you can compare move counts fairly. Finish it to add a day to your streak.
Play with Friends
There is no online room for this puzzle, but the daily tray makes it easy to compete. Everyone starts from the identical jumble, so the fewest moves truly wins. Tap Share on the result screen to send your move count and time to friends on WhatsApp or Telegram and see who can top it.
Sliding Puzzle FAQ
Is every sliding puzzle here solvable?
Yes. Each tray is created by sliding tiles at random from the finished order, so it can always be slid back. Half of all random arrangements are impossible, which is why we never simply shuffle the numbers.
Why does one tap sometimes add several moves?
Moves count tiles, not taps. If a tap slides three tiles along a row, that counts as three moves, which keeps scores fair between tapping and swiping players.
What is the minimum number of moves?
It depends on the tray. Any 3×3 layout can be solved in 31 moves or fewer, while a 4×4 can take up to 80. Getting close to the minimum takes careful planning.
Can I use a keyboard?
Yes. The arrow keys push the tile next to the gap in that direction. You can also Tab to any tile and press Enter to slide it.
Does the timer affect my score?
No. Your saved best score is based on moves only. The timer is there so you can challenge yourself to be both quick and tidy.
Last updated: 2026-09-30
