Sliding Puzzle
Slide numbered tiles into order using the single empty space.
The rules
How to play
- 01
The board
The puzzle is a grid of numbered tiles with a single empty space.
- 02
What can move
Only the tiles directly adjacent to the empty space can be moved.
- 03
Slide a tile
Click or tap a neighbouring tile to slide it into the empty space.
- 04
The goal
Arrange every tile in numerical order, left to right, top to bottom.
- 05
The empty space
A solved board leaves the empty space resting in the bottom-right corner.
Play smarter
Three ways to solve faster
Row by row
Solve the top row first, then the second, and work down. Once a row is complete you won't need to disturb it.
Corner strategy
For the last two rows, solve the left column first, then complete the remaining 2×2 or 2×3 section.
Practice patterns
Learn common tile movements. Cycling tiles around the empty space in a loop is a key technique.
Watch & learn
Two minutes to mastery
From the Intel desk
Reading for the curious
Sliding Puzzle: A Complete Beginner's Guide to Tile Arrangement
Learn how to solve Sliding Puzzles from scratch. Discover the 150-year history of this classic mechanical puzzle, master the Row-by-Row method, and follow our visual step-by-step tutorial to arrange tiles with confidence.
Sliding Puzzle Strategies: Algorithms for the Classic 15-Puzzle
Master the 15-puzzle with systematic algorithms that work every time. Learn the row-by-row method, corner technique, and 2x2 endgame rotation.
Keep going
Where to next
Fresh every day
The Daily Sliding Puzzle
One shared scramble for everyone, every day. Build a streak and compare your solving time.
Go deeper
Rules & strategy guide
From the row-by-row method to corner techniques — the complete written guide.
Beyond the tiles
Explore all puzzles
Sudoku, Nonograms, Slitherlink and fifteen more logic games await.