Sliding Puzzle

Play Sliding Puzzle free online. Slide the numbered tiles back into order — the classic 8, 15 and 24 puzzles.

The classic sliding-tile puzzle. One square is empty; slide tiles into the gap until the numbers run in order from the top-left corner. Every shuffle is guaranteed solvable. Choose a 3×3, 4×4 or 5×5 board, and your puzzle is saved if you leave part-way through.

  • Category: Puzzle
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Players: 1 player
  • Typical game: about 4 minutes
  • Works on: desktop, phones and tablets

How to play Sliding Puzzle

Objective: Arrange the tiles in order, 1 in the top-left, with the gap in the bottom-right corner.

  1. Tap a tile in the same row or column as the gap to slide it (and any tiles between) into the gap.
  2. With a keyboard, the arrow keys slide the tile next to the gap in that direction.
  3. Tiles are coloured by the row they belong in, and get a white ring when they are home.
  4. The clock starts with your first move and stops while the game is paused.

Scoring

Start from 1,000 (3×3), 2,500 (4×4) or 5,000 (5×5), minus 3 points per move and 1 point per second. Minimum 100.

Difficulty levels

Easy: 3×3 (8 tiles). Normal: 4×4 (15 tiles). Hard: 5×5 (24 tiles).

Tips

  • Solve the top row first, then the left column, and repeat on the smaller puzzle that remains.
  • Place the last two tiles of a row together: park one, then rotate both in.

Controls

Keyboard

  • Arrow keys or WASD slide a tile into the gap

Mouse

  • Click a tile in the same row or column as the gap

Touch

  • Tap a tile in the same row or column as the gap

Sliding Puzzle achievements

  • Slide Rule – Solve any sliding puzzle.
  • Efficient Eight – Solve the 3×3 puzzle in 40 moves or fewer.
  • Fifteen – Solve the 4×4 puzzle.
  • Quick Fingers – Solve the 4×4 puzzle in under 2 minutes.
  • Grand Slider – Solve the 5×5 puzzle.
  • Tile Veteran – Solve 10 sliding puzzles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sliding Puzzle free to play?

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

How do you play Sliding Puzzle?

Arrange the tiles in order, 1 in the top-left, with the gap in the bottom-right corner. Tap a tile in the same row or column as the gap to slide it (and any tiles between) into the gap. With a keyboard, the arrow keys slide the tile next to the gap in that direction.

Can I play Sliding Puzzle on my phone?

Yes. Sliding Puzzle works in mobile browsers on phones and tablets. Tap a tile in the same row or column as the gap.

Does Sliding Puzzle save my high score?

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

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