Sliding Puzzle

One square is missing, and that gap is all the room you have. Shift the tiles around it until the numbers read in order from the top-left corner — or switch to picture mode and piece an abstract artwork back together.

How to play Sliding Puzzle

• The goal is to arrange the tiles in order, 1 to the last number, reading left to right and top to bottom, with the empty square in the bottom-right corner.
• Tap a tile next to the gap to slide it in. Tap a tile further along the same row or column to slide the whole line of tiles at once.
• Every shuffle is checked to be solvable, so a solution always exists.
• Your moves are counted per tile slid, and the clock starts with your first move.
• In Picture mode the tiles form a generated image. Turn the small numbers on or off to make it easier or harder.

Controls

• Tap / click a tile in line with the gap
• Swipe on the board or press arrow keys / WASD to slide the tile next to the gap in that direction

Tips

• Solve the top row first, then the left column. You are then left with a smaller puzzle of the same kind.
• Place the last two tiles of a row together: park them one below their final spots, then rotate them up into place.
• Tiles that are already in their home spot are highlighted, which helps you see progress at a glance.

FAQ

How do you solve a sliding puzzle?

Work in layers. Finish the top row, then the next row, never disturbing finished tiles. When only two rows are left, solve them one column at a time from left to right, placing each pair of tiles together. The last few tiles then cycle into place around the gap.

Is every puzzle solvable?

Yes. Exactly half of all random arrangements can never be solved, so the game checks each shuffle and only gives you one that can.

Where do the pictures come from?

They are drawn by the game itself — gradients, hills, waves and patterns generated fresh for each puzzle. Press New picture for another one.

Are my best times saved?

Your best time and move count for each board size are stored in this browser, along with any puzzle in progress.