How to play Tile Merge

What you need

Tile Merge is played on a grid of 4 by 4 squares, on any phone, tablet or computer. On a touch screen, swipe across the board in the direction you want, or tap one of the four large arrow buttons below it. On a computer, use the arrow keys (or W, A, S and D).

The aim

Join tiles with matching numbers to make bigger and bigger numbers. Your goal is to make a tile showing 2048.

How to play

The game starts with two tiles on the grid, each showing a 2 or a 4.

1. Swipe up, down, left or right.
2. Every tile slides as far as it can go in that direction, until it hits the edge or another tile.
3. Matching tiles join. If two tiles with the same number slide into each other, they join into one tile with their total. Two 2s make a 4, two 4s make an 8, and so on.
4. A new tile appears in a random empty square after every move. It is usually a 2, and sometimes a 4.

A swipe only counts as a move if at least one tile moves or joins.

Joining rules

A few details are worth knowing:

• Only tiles with the same number join. A 4 and an 8 do not.
• Each tile can only join once per swipe. A row of 4, 4, 8 swiped left becomes 8, 8, not 16.
• When three matching tiles are in a line, the two nearest the direction of the swipe join first.

Winning

You win when you make a 2048 tile. You can then carry on playing to see how high you can go.

Game over

The game ends when every square is full and no swipe can join any tiles.

Scoring

Every time two tiles join, the value of the new tile is added to your score. Making a 32 adds 32 points, making a 256 adds 256, and so on. Your best score is saved so you can try to beat it.

Pace

There is no timer. The tiles only move when you swipe, so you can think as long as you like. If a swipe goes wrong, Undo takes it back (several moves in a row if you need), and Hint suggests a direction with a short reason.

Tips for beginners

• Pick a corner. Choose one corner, such as bottom left, and keep your biggest tile there.
• Favour two directions. Mostly swipe in two directions, such as down and left. Use a third when you must, and avoid the fourth, which pulls your big tile out of its corner.
• Build in order. Line up your tiles along one edge in order of size, such as 128, 64, 32, 16. Then they can join one after another.
• Keep the edge row full. A full bottom row stops tiles moving unexpectedly when you swipe sideways.
• Do not rush. A careless swipe can spoil a good board. Look first, then move.