Tic-tac-toe

Tic-tac-toe, also known as noughts and crosses, is the classic game for two that you can play on any scrap of paper. Take turns placing your mark on a grid and be the first to make a line. Play it here in your browser, on the classic 3×3 board or on a bigger 5×5 board.

How to play

1. The board. A square grid of cells. The default board is 3×3, where you need three in a line to win. You can also choose 5×5, where you need four in a line.
2. Your turn. Place your mark on any empty cell. A mark that is placed stays where it is; it cannot be moved or removed.
3. Make a line. A line can run across, up and down, or diagonally. The first player to get the required number of their own marks in a row wins the game.
4. A full board. If every cell is filled and nobody has a line, the game is a draw.
5. Early draw. The game also ends in a draw as soon as no line can be completed any more by either player, even if some cells are still empty. You do not have to play out a game that can no longer be won.
6. A series of games. Press “Next game” to play again. The score keeps running, and the players swap marks after every game: whoever had the cross gets the circle, and the circle always moves first. So the first move alternates and neither side always has the advantage.

On this page, Player 1 is the teal circle and Player 2 is the mustard cross. The circle (Player 1) always moves first, in every game. At the start you choose who starts the first game. Against the computer you pick “Me” or “Computer”; with two players you decide who takes the circle. In two-player mode the score panel calls the people Player A and Player B and shows who has the circle in the current game.

Play modes

• Against the computer with three levels: Easy, Medium and Hard. On the 3×3 board, Hard never loses: the best you can get against it is a draw.
• Two players on one device: pass the phone or share the screen.

A game on the 3×3 board takes under a minute; a 5×5 game takes one to three minutes.

Tips and strategy

• Take the centre. On 3×3 the centre cell belongs to four lines, more than any other cell. If it is free, it is usually the best first move.
• Corners come next. A corner belongs to three lines. Edges, the cells in the middle of a side, belong to only two.
• Always check for a threat. If your opponent has two marks in a line and the third cell is empty, block it now, unless you can win on this move.
• Build a fork. Make a move that creates two threats at once. Your opponent can block only one of them, and you complete the other.
• Expect a draw against a good opponent. With perfect play on both sides, 3×3 always ends in a draw. To win, you need your opponent to make a mistake.
• Try 5×5 for more room. With four in a line there is much more space to build threats.
• Play a series. Because the first move alternates, a series over several games is a fairer test than a single game.

Frequently asked questions

Who goes first?

The circle (Player 1) always moves first. You choose who starts the first game; after each game the players swap marks, so the first move alternates.

Is a draw possible?

Yes, and on 3×3 it is the most common result between good players. A game is a draw when the board is full with no line, or earlier, when no line can be completed any more.

Can I play Tic-tac-toe against the computer?

Yes. Choose the computer as your opponent and pick Easy, Medium or Hard. You can also play two players on one device. Hard never loses on the 3×3 board.

What are other names for Tic-tac-toe?

In British English it is called noughts and crosses. In Polish it is “Kółko i krzyżyk”, in French “morpion” and in Italian “tris”. It is a very old, traditional game.

What is the 5×5 board for?

It is a bigger version where you need four marks in a line instead of three. It gives both players more room to build threats.

Do I need paper and a pencil?

No. Everything is on the screen. If you like, you can also draw the grid on paper and play with a pencil.

Is it free?

Yes. You can play in your browser for free, with no sign-up.

Get it on Google Play

The Android app is coming soon.