Tic-Tac-Toe
Place your X or O. Get three in a row to win.
How to play Tic-Tac-Toe
Tic-Tac-Toe is one of the oldest and simplest games on paper. In the UK it is called Noughts and Crosses, and many people just call it X and O. Two players take turns marking empty squares on a grid. One player is X and the other is O. X always goes first.
This site has two boards. The classic board is 3×3 and you need three in a row. The bigger board is 5×5 and you need four in a row. The big board takes a little longer and gives you more room to plan.
Goal
Be the first to place your marks in an unbroken line: across, down or on a diagonal. On 3×3 you need three marks in the line. On 5×5 you need four.
Turn by turn
- X picks any empty square and places a mark there. On this site, tap or click the square. You can also use the arrow keys and Enter, or the keys 1 to 9 on the small board.
- O does the same on any other empty square.
- Players keep taking turns. A mark stays where it is for the rest of the game. You can never move or remove a mark.
End of the game
The game ends as soon as one player makes a line. That player wins. If every square is full and nobody has a line, the game is a draw. Many games between good players on the 3×3 board end in a draw, so try the 5×5 board for a bigger fight.
Playing the computer
Choose Easy, Medium or Hard. Easy plays loose moves but will take a win if it sees one. Medium blocks your lines but still makes mistakes. Hard on 3×3 plays perfectly and never loses. You can choose who goes first. Made a slip? Press Undo to take your move back.
Strategy tips
- Start in the centre or a corner. The centre square is part of four lines, more than any other square. A corner is part of three. An edge square is part of only two.
- Always block first. Before you plan your own line, check if your opponent has two in a row with the last square empty. If so, block it now.
- Make a fork. A fork is one move that makes two lines your opponent must block. They can only block one, so you win with the other. Corners are the best place to build forks.
- Against a corner start, take the centre. If X opens in a corner and O does not take the centre, X can force a win. Taking the centre keeps the game safe.
- On 5×5, keep lines open at both ends. Three marks in a row with empty squares on both sides is a double threat. Your opponent can only block one end.
Tic-Tac-Toe FAQ
Is Tic-Tac-Toe the same as Noughts and Crosses?
Yes. It is the same game. Noughts and Crosses is the British name, and some people call it X and O or XO.
Can you beat the computer on Hard?
On the 3×3 board, no. Hard plays perfect moves, so the best you can get is a draw. On the 5×5 board Hard is strong but not perfect, so a sharp player can still win.
Why do so many games end in a draw?
On a 3×3 board, if both players make no mistakes, the game always ends in a draw. That is why the 5×5 board with four in a row is more exciting for older kids and adults.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Choose “2 Players” and take turns tapping the board. The bar above the board shows whose turn it is.
