15 Puzzle - Number Sliding Game
Slide the numbered tiles into order, clear the board and beat your best score.
4 x 4 CLASSIC - READY TO PLAY
Tap a tile next to the empty space, or use your keyboard arrow keys.
Play 15 Puzzle Online for Free
Challenge your number skills with the classic 15 Puzzle, also known as the sliding tile puzzle. Move numbered squares across the board and arrange them in ascending order, with the empty space in the bottom-right corner. The standard game uses a 4 x 4 grid, while optional 3 x 3 and 5 x 5 boards let you practise at different difficulty levels.
This browser game is free to play and works on desktop, tablet and mobile. No account, installation, database or external game server is required. Your best scores and preferences are stored locally in your browser.
How to Play
- Press Shuffle Puzzle to create a new board.
- Select or tap a numbered tile that is directly beside the empty space.
- The selected tile slides into the empty position.
- Continue moving tiles until the numbers are arranged from 1 to 15, with the empty square at the end.
- On a 3 x 3 or 5 x 5 board, arrange all numbered tiles in the same ascending order.
Game Features
Keyboard Controls
- Arrow keys: Move the empty space in the selected direction.
- W, A, S, D: Alternative movement keys.
- U: Undo the previous move.
- H: Highlight a useful tile.
Tips and Strategy
- Solve the top row first, then work down while preserving the order of completed rows.
- Plan the final two tiles of a row together; placing one too early can block the other.
- Keep the empty space near the area where you are arranging tiles.
- Use Undo when a move disrupts a completed section.
- Try to reduce unnecessary movement rather than moving tiles randomly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 15 Puzzle?
The 15 Puzzle is a sliding number game played on a 4 x 4 grid. It contains 15 numbered tiles and one empty space. The goal is to arrange the numbers in ascending order.
How do I move a number tile?
Tap or click a tile directly beside the empty space. You can also use the arrow keys or WASD keys on a desktop keyboard.
Are all shuffled boards solvable?
Yes. The shuffle is made by performing a long sequence of legal tile moves from the solved board, so the resulting board always has a valid solution.
Can I play a different grid size?
Yes. Choose 3 x 3, 4 x 4 or 5 x 5 from the board selector. The classic 15 Puzzle uses the 4 x 4 option.
What does the Hint button do?
Hint highlights a tile that can move and reduce its Manhattan distance from its target position. It is a guide for one move, not a complete automatic solution.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. Use Undo or Undo Move to reverse your latest tile movement.
How are best scores saved?
Your best move count and fastest time are stored locally in your browser for each board size. Clearing browser data may remove these records.
Does the game work on mobile?
Yes. The board adjusts to smaller screens and tiles can be moved by tapping them.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The game runs directly in a supported web browser without an account, app installation or online game server.
Is the 15 Puzzle good for brain training?
It provides practice in planning, spatial reasoning, sequencing and problem-solving. It is a casual puzzle game, not a medical or cognitive assessment.
Can You Beat Your Best Score?
Shuffle the board, plan your moves and put every number back in order.
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