Interactive tutorial
How to Play Minesweeper
Click through a guided walkthrough that uses real game pieces, then lock in the rules, patterns, and controls that make every board solvable.
Step 1 of 4
Reveal a safe cell
Left-click a cell to reveal it. Empty cells (0 adjacent mines) automatically open nearby cells.
Hint
Click the glowing cell to start. First click is always safe.
Controls
Left-click to reveal. Right-click to flag. On mobile, long-press to flag.
Rules in 60 seconds
Minesweeper Fundamentals
Every board is a logic puzzle. Use numbers to mark mines, then open the remaining safe cells.
1. Reveal
Left-click to open a cell. Empty cells (0) flood-fill nearby safe cells.
2. Count
Numbers tell you how many mines touch the 8 surrounding cells.
3. Flag
Right-click (or long-press) to flag a mine so you never click it.
4. Win
Open all non-mine cells. Mines can stay hidden or flagged.
Numbers
Reading the Grid
Each number counts adjacent mines, including diagonals. The colors are classic Minesweeper tones so you can scan the board at a glance.
Pro Tip
If a number already has its mines flagged, every other adjacent hidden cell is safe.
Each number shows how many mines touch it. Flags mark confirmed mines.
Lower numbers create safe zones. Higher numbers signal dense mine clusters.
Mouse
Left-click to reveal. Right-click to flag.
Mobile
Tap to reveal. Long-press to flag mines.
Advanced
Double-click a satisfied number to clear neighbors faster.
Pattern Playbook
Pattern Recognition Essentials
A pattern is a common arrangement of numbers that has only one solution. Memorize a few and you will solve boards far faster.
Equal Count (B1)
If a number touches the same count of hidden cells, every one of those cells is a mine.
This is the fastest way to place guaranteed flags.
Classic 1-2
The highlighted pair cannot both be mines, or the 1 would overflow.
So the 2 must place its second mine in the remaining cell.
Edge 1-2-1
The 1–2–1 pattern has one solution. It is a combination of two 1–2 patterns.
Apply the 1–2 from the left, then from the right to locate the mines.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens on the first click?
The first click in Minesweeper is always safe. The game generates the mine positions after your first click, ensuring you never hit a mine immediately. This gives you a fair start every time.
How do the numbers work?
Each number indicates how many mines are adjacent to that cell (including diagonals). A cell can have 0-8 adjacent mines. If a cell has 0 adjacent mines, it shows as empty and automatically reveals neighboring cells.
What is chord clicking?
Chord clicking (or double-clicking) on a numbered cell that has all its adjacent mines flagged will automatically reveal all other adjacent cells. This is a faster way to clear the board once you've identified the mines.
Can I play without using flags?
Yes! Flags are optional. Many expert players use minimal or no flags because they can mentally track mine locations. This is often faster than flagging, especially for speed runs.
What's a good time for each difficulty?
Beginner (9x9, 10 mines): Under 30 seconds is good, under 10 seconds is excellent. Intermediate (16x16, 40 mines): Under 2 minutes is good, under 1 minute is excellent. Expert (30x16, 99 mines): Under 5 minutes is good, under 2 minutes is excellent.
How does the daily challenge work?
Every day at midnight UTC, a new puzzle is generated using a seed based on the date. Everyone gets the same puzzle, making it perfect for comparing scores with friends. You get one attempt per difficulty level each day.