How do you play Minesweeper?
You win by opening every square that has no mine without stepping on one. Each number shows how many mines touch that square, counting all eight neighbors including diagonals.
Your first click and its neighbors never hold a mine, so the game always starts with an open area. Opening a blank square opens its neighbors automatically. Hit a mine and the game ends; clear the field and your time is saved.
What are the levels?
| Level | Board | Mines | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 9 × 9 | 10 | about 12% |
| Intermediate | 16 × 16 | 40 | about 16% |
| Expert | 30 × 16 | 99 | about 21% |
On an upright phone the expert board turns to 16 × 30 so the squares are bigger.
What happens when I click a number?
Clicking an open number opens all its other neighbors at once when the flags around it match the number. This is called chording and is the key to fast times. A wrong flag will set off a mine, so be sure first.
How do I find the mines?
- A 1 touching only one closed square marks a mine. When a number equals its closed neighbors, they are all mines.
- A satisfied number makes its neighbors safe. Click it to open the rest.
- Learn the 1-2-1 and 1-2-2-1 patterns. Along a wall, 1-2-1 means mines next to both 1s, and 1-2-2-1 means mines next to the two 2s.
- When you must guess, pick open ground. Squares far from the numbers are often the safer bet.
Best times for each level are saved in this browser. Music and sound can be turned off with the buttons at the top right.