Tic Tac Toe
Puzzle Games, 2 Player & Multiplayer Games, Strategy Games · Updated
Tic tac toe is the game most people learn before they can spell it: two players, a three-by-three grid, and the first to get three in a row wins. This version lets you play it in your browser against the computer or against a friend, on a phone, a tablet or a computer.
How to play
X always moves first in the first round. Players take turns placing their mark in an empty square. Get three of your marks in a row, across, down or diagonally, and you win the round. If all nine squares fill up with no line, the round is a draw. Press Next round to play again. The side that starts switches every round.
Play tic tac toe online
Everything runs in the page: no download, no sign-up, no email. Open the page and you are one tap from a round, whether you are on a phone, a tablet or a laptop.
- Against the computer in three levels, from random moves on Easy to perfect play on Hard.
- Against a friend on the same screen, passing the device back and forth.
- Your settings stick: the opponent, the level and the running score are remembered on this device.
If you are looking for a quick game between tasks, a round takes under a minute — and the computer never needs a second player to be available.
Three computer levels
- Easy picks random squares. Good for learning the game, or for younger players.- Medium takes a winning square when it sees one and blocks yours, but it does not plan ahead. A well-built fork will beat it.
- Hard plays perfectly. It cannot be beaten, so a draw is the best possible result.
Your choice of opponent and level is remembered in your browser, so the game opens the way you left it.
Two players on one screen
Choose 2 Players to play against someone sitting next to you. The scoreboard at the top keeps count of X wins, O wins and draws, and highlights whose turn it is.
Music and sound
A calm background tune plays while you think, and each move, win, loss and draw has its own short sound. The note and speaker buttons next to the status line turn music and sound effects on or off separately.
Why it still matters
Tic tac toe is small enough to solve completely, which makes it a great way to learn how to think a move ahead. Once you can draw every game against Hard, you have learned the whole game, and forks, blocks and tempo carry over to bigger strategy games.
How to get a high score
- If you go first, take a corner. It gives the other player the most ways to go wrong.
- If the other player takes a corner first, answer in the center. Anything else lets them set up two threats at once.
- Look for a fork, a move that makes two lines of two at the same time. Your opponent can only block one of them.
- Against Hard, a draw is a good result. The computer never makes a mistake, so every draw means you played perfectly too.
Questions
Can I play tic tac toe online without signing up?
Yes. There is no account, no email and no download - the board loads with the page and you can start a round immediately. Tap 2 Players to take turns on the same screen, or leave it on vs Computer and pick a level.
Can I play against a friend?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and take turns on the same screen. The score for X, O and draws is kept until you change the opponent or the level.
Can the computer be beaten?
On Easy and Medium, yes. Easy plays random squares, and Medium takes wins and blocks yours but can be tricked. Hard plays perfectly and cannot lose, so the best you can do there is a draw.
Who goes first?
X goes first in the first round, and then the first move alternates every round, so both sides get a fair share of starts.
Does it work with a keyboard or screen reader?
Yes. Every square is a real button with a label, the arrow keys move between squares, and the number keys 1 to 9 play a square directly, counting from the top left.
Can I turn the music or sound off?
Yes. The note button beside the status line switches the music, and the speaker button switches sound effects. M toggles the music from the keyboard, and your choice is remembered.
