How to play Minesweeper
Minesweeper is a game of pure logic: uncover every safe square on the grid without detonating a hidden mine. Here's everything you need to start in about two minutes.
The goal
The grid hides a fixed number of mines. Your job is to reveal every square that isn't a mine. Reveal them all and you win; click a mine and the game ends.
The controls
- Reveal a square: left-click on desktop, or tap on mobile.
- Flag a suspected mine: right-click on desktop, or long-press on mobile (or turn on Flag mode for one-tap flagging).
- Chord: click a revealed number that already has the right number of flags around it to open all remaining neighbours at once.
Reading the numbers
When you reveal a safe square it shows a number from 1 to 8 — the count of mines in the eight squares touching it. A blank square has zero neighbouring mines, so the game automatically opens the area around it. Learn this in depth in what the numbers mean in Minesweeper.
A simple first strategy
- Click anywhere to open your first safe area.
- Find a number that touches exactly as many covered squares as its value — every one of those squares is a mine. Flag them.
- Find a number whose mines are all already flagged — every other neighbour is safe to open.
- Repeat, working outward, and use number patterns when you get stuck.
Where to play
Ready to try it? Start with Classic Minesweeper, remove the luck with No-Guess Minesweeper, or go endless with Infinite Minesweeper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the goal of Minesweeper?
Reveal every square on the grid that is not a mine. You don't have to flag the mines to win — you just need to safely uncover all the non-mine squares without clicking a mine.
How do I know where the mines are?
Each revealed number tells you how many mines touch that square, counting all eight neighbours. By comparing numbers you can deduce which nearby squares must be mines and which must be safe.
What happens on the first click?
Your first click is always safe and usually opens a cluster of squares. Mines are placed after that first click so you never lose on move one.
Do I have to flag mines?
No. Flags are an optional aid to mark squares you believe are mines so you don't click them by accident. You can win without placing a single flag.
How do I get faster at Minesweeper?
Learn the common number patterns, use flags to track known mines, and use chording to open multiple squares at once. Practising on no-guess boards builds pure deduction skills.
Explore more
Infinite Minesweeper
An endless board that never runs out of squares.
Classic Minesweeper
The timeless 9×9, 16×16 and expert grids.
No-Guess Minesweeper
Boards solvable by pure logic — no 50/50 guesses.
Daily Minesweeper
One shared puzzle for everyone, every day.
Patterns
1-2-1, 1-2-2 and other must-know patterns.
The Numbers
What each number is really telling you.
Shortcuts
Play faster with mouse and key shortcuts.