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Minesweeper

Clear every safe square using the number clues without hitting a mine. Full rules and how to play below.

Minesweeper rules & how to play

New to Minesweeper or need a refresher? Here are the full rules, what the numbers mean and how to win, then jump straight into the game above.

Rules & how to play

The goal

Minesweeper is a logic puzzle. Uncover every safe square on the grid without clicking a hidden mine. Clear them all and you win.

Controls

  • Left-click / tap a square to reveal it.
  • Right-click / long-press a square to flag a suspected mine.

What the numbers mean

Every revealed number is a clue: it counts how many mines sit in the up to eight squares touching it, diagonals included. A "3" means three neighbours are mines. A blank square touches no mines and opens the safe area around it automatically.

How to win

Reveal every square that is not a mine. You don't need to flag the mines, the game is won the moment only mines are left. Click a mine and it's game over.

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules of Minesweeper?

Reveal squares to clear the board. Each number shows how many of the surrounding squares hide a mine. Uncover every safe square to win; click a mine and you lose.

What do the numbers mean?

A number counts the mines in the up to eight squares touching it, including diagonals. Use those counts to deduce which nearby squares must be safe.

How do you win Minesweeper?

Reveal all non-mine squares. Flagging every mine is optional, it's just a memory aid.

What does flagging do?

A flag marks a square you think is a mine so you don't click it by accident. Once a number has all its mines flagged, its other neighbours are safe.

Can the first click be a mine?

No, your first click is always safe, so you can't lose on move one.