Sliding Puzzle
Slide the tiles into the correct order. How few moves can you do it in?
Moves
0
Time
0:00
Tip: use arrow keys to slide tiles on desktop.
How to use
- 1
Pick a difficulty, then tap Shuffle to scramble the board.
- 2
Click a tile next to the empty space (or use arrow keys) to slide it.
- 3
Sort the tiles in order with the empty space in the bottom-right to win.
Free Sliding Puzzle Game Online — Solve the 15-Puzzle in Your Browser
Play the classic 15-Puzzle sliding game free online. Slide tiles into the correct order. Multiple grid sizes from 3×3 to 5×5. No signup required.
Skycally's Sliding Puzzle presents a grid of numbered tiles with one empty space. Slide adjacent tiles into the empty space to rearrange them in numerical order from left to right, top to bottom. The classic 15-Puzzle uses a 4×4 grid (tiles 1–15), while smaller 3×3 (8-Puzzle) and larger 5×5 (24-Puzzle) variations are also available.
The 15-Puzzle was invented by Noyes Chapman in the 1870s and marketed by Sam Loyd in 1880, who famously offered a $1,000 prize for anyone who could solve a specific impossible configuration — making it one of the first viral puzzles in history. Today it's a classic benchmark problem in computer science for testing search algorithms like A* and iterative deepening.
Not all configurations are solvable — exactly half of all possible arrangements of the 15-Puzzle are reachable from a solved state. This tool only generates solvable puzzles by starting from the solved position and making a sequence of random valid moves in reverse, guaranteeing every puzzle has a solution.
The minimum number of moves required to solve a shuffled 15-Puzzle (the 'optimal solution length') varies widely — easy shuffles take 20–40 moves, while harder configurations can require 80+ moves. The move counter tracks your total moves, and trying to solve it in fewer moves than your previous best adds a layer of competitive challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play the Sliding Puzzle?
Click any tile adjacent to the empty space to slide it into that space. Rearrange all tiles in numerical order from left to right, top to bottom, to win.
What grid sizes are available?
3×3 (8-Puzzle, 8 tiles), 4×4 (15-Puzzle, 15 tiles), and 5×5 (24-Puzzle, 24 tiles). Larger grids are significantly harder.
Is every puzzle solvable?
Yes. Puzzles are generated by starting from the solved state and making random moves, guaranteeing every generated puzzle has at least one solution.
How many moves does it take to solve?
It depends on the shuffle. Easy positions take 20–40 moves. Hard positions can require 80+ moves for the optimal solution.
Can I undo a move?
Check the game controls — an undo button may be available to reverse the last slide.
What is the 15-Puzzle?
The 15-Puzzle is the classic version with a 4×4 grid and tiles numbered 1–15. It was invented in the 1870s and is one of the most famous mechanical puzzles in history.
Is there a timer?
Yes. A timer tracks how long each puzzle takes to solve. Try to beat your best time on the same grid size.
Does this work on mobile?
Yes. Tap tiles to slide them. The grid scales to fit any screen size.
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