How to Play Minesweeper
Minesweeper is a classic logic puzzle game where the goal is to clear a grid without detonating any hidden mines. Tap any tile to reveal it — if it's safe, you'll see a number showing how many mines are hiding in the adjacent tiles. Use these numbers to figure out which tiles are safe and which ones hide mines.
Switch to Flag mode to mark a tile you suspect contains a mine. This helps you keep track of dangerous tiles as you work through the grid. Clear every safe tile without hitting a mine to win the game.
Minesweeper rewards careful logic and pattern recognition rather than luck. Start in a corner or open area, work outward from the numbers you reveal, and take your time — there's no timer pressure unless you want a personal-best challenge. Play Minesweeper free online, right in your browser, with no downloads or sign-ups needed.
Want to stop relying on guesses? Read our Minesweeper strategy guide for solving techniques that skip the guesswork.
How to Play Minesweeper: Step by Step
- Tap a tile to dig it.
- A number shows how many mines touch that tile, including diagonals.
- Switch to Flag mode and tap a tile to mark a mine.
- Tap a revealed number to auto-clear its neighbors once all its mines are flagged.
- Clear every safe tile without hitting a mine to win.
Minesweeper Tips for Beginners
- A "1" with only one hidden neighbor means that neighbor is a mine.
- If a number already has all its mines flagged, every other neighbor is safe.
- Look for the 1-2-1 pattern on a straight edge. The mines are under the 1s.
- Work outward from open areas instead of digging new random tiles.
- Guess only when logic gives no answer. A corner is a good guess: it is not safer than other unknown tiles, but it is the most likely to open a big area.
Accessible Minesweeper
This version is built to work with screen readers such as TalkBack on Android. The board uses labeled buttons and game updates are read out, and it is tested with TalkBack on a phone.
Minesweeper FAQ
What do the numbers mean?
Each number tells you how many mines touch that tile, in all eight directions.
How do I mark a mine?
Switch to Flag mode, then tap the tile.
Can every board be solved without guessing?
Most positions can be solved with logic, but sometimes a guess is needed.
Want to improve faster? Read our Minesweeper strategy guide, or see all 16 free games.