Match Three

Play Match Three free online. Swap gems to line up three or more — a fast, timed gem blitz with special combos.

A timed gem-matching blitz. Swap neighbouring gems to make lines of three or more of the same kind. Longer lines and L or T shapes create special gems that clear rows, columns, blasts or every gem of one colour — and chain reactions multiply your points. Score as much as you can before the clock runs out. Every gem has its own shape as well as its colour.

  • Category: Puzzle
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Players: 1 player
  • Typical game: about 2 minutes
  • Works on: desktop, phones and tablets

How to play Match Three

Objective: Score as many points as possible before time runs out.

  1. Swap two neighbouring gems to make a line of three or more matching gems. Swaps that make no match bounce back.
  2. Matched gems disappear, the gems above fall down, and new gems drop in — which can set off chain reactions.
  3. Four in a line makes a striped gem that clears a whole row or column when matched.
  4. An L or T shape makes a bomb that clears the gems around it. Five in a line makes a rainbow gem: swap it with any gem to clear all of that kind.
  5. Swap two special gems together for an even bigger effect.

Scoring

10 points per gem cleared, multiplied by the cascade step (×2 for the first chain reaction, ×3 for the next…), plus 30 per special gem made.

Difficulty levels

Easy: 5 kinds of gem and 2 minutes. Normal: 6 kinds and 90 seconds. Hard: 7 kinds and 60 seconds.

Tips

  • Make matches near the bottom — the falling gems often set off free chain reactions.
  • Save rainbow gems for the colour that fills most of the board.
  • If you stop for a few seconds, a possible move starts to wiggle.

Controls

Keyboard

  • Arrow keys move the cursor
  • Enter picks up a gem, then an arrow key swaps it that way

Mouse

  • Drag a gem towards a neighbour to swap
  • Or click a gem, then click the neighbour to swap with

Touch

  • Swipe a gem towards the neighbour you want to swap with

Match Three achievements

  • Something Special – Create a special gem.
  • Over the Rainbow – Create a rainbow gem.
  • Chain Reaction – Set off a cascade of four or more steps.
  • Gem Collector – Score 3,000 points in one round.
  • Jeweller – Score 8,000 points in one round.

Frequently asked questions

Is Match Three free to play?

Yes. Match Three is completely free on GamesPlayLand, with no download, no sign-up and no purchases.

How do you play Match Three?

Score as many points as possible before time runs out. Swap two neighbouring gems to make a line of three or more matching gems. Swaps that make no match bounce back. Matched gems disappear, the gems above fall down, and new gems drop in — which can set off chain reactions.

Can I play Match Three on my phone?

Yes. Match Three works in mobile browsers on phones and tablets. Swipe a gem towards the neighbour you want to swap with.

Does Match Three save my high score?

Yes. Your personal best, statistics and achievements for Match Three are saved in your browser automatically.

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