Klotski

Klotski is a sliding block puzzle: ten blocks sit on a 4-column by 5-row board, and you slide them until the large 2x2 block can leave through the exit in the bottom wall. This free klotski puzzle runs in your browser. Pick a level, drag or tap blocks to move them, and try to win in as few moves as possible.

The game has 24 levels, ordered from easy to hard. Level 1 needs 3 moves at minimum, and the classic layout (Level 21) needs 81. Each level shows its minimum move count, so you can see how close you are to the shortest solution.

Blocks are plain shapes with no names or numbers. The big block is gold, tall blocks are green, wide blocks are blue, and small blocks are orange. Progress is stored in your browser on this device only, so there is no account to create.

How to play klotski online

1. Open the Level menu and pick any level. You can play the levels in any order, and none are locked.
2. To move a block with a mouse or touch, press it and drag. After a short drag, the block follows your pointer and snaps from cell to cell. Release it where you want it to stop.
3. Or tap a block to grab it (it gets an outline), then tap an empty cell. The block slides to the reachable spot that covers that cell. Tap the block again to let go.
4. To use the keyboard, press Tab to move between blocks, then press Enter or Space to grab the focused block. Each arrow key press slides it one cell. Press Enter, Space or Esc to let go.
5. Watch the Moves counter. Slide the big 2x2 block into the two middle columns at the bottom to win.
6. Press Undo to take back the last move, as many times as you need. Press Hint when you are stuck to see the first move of a shortest solution.
7. Press Restart to reset the current level. Your best score for that level stays.

Keyboard shortcuts: U or Ctrl/Cmd+Z undo, H hint, N restart, F fullscreen, and Esc closes the dialog. Dragging a block does not scroll the page, so the board stays steady while you play.

What are the klotski rules?

You win klotski by moving the big 2x2 block to the exit, the opening in the bottom wall below the two middle columns. The level is solved as soon as the big block sits in columns 2 and 3 of the bottom two rows, and then it slides out. Only the big block can leave the board, and every other block stays on it.

Blocks cannot pass through other blocks, cannot leave the board, and cannot move diagonally. A move to a place the block cannot reach is refused, and nothing is counted. One move means one block sliding to any free place it can reach in a single go. It can travel any distance and turn corners, so a drag that goes down, right, then up counts as one move. Moving the same block again later counts as a new move.

Klotski strategy and tips

Because a move counts the whole slide, long straight slides are cheap. Before each move, look for a block that can slide far in one go, and check whether moving it opens space for the big block. Many extra moves come from nudging a block one cell at a time when it could have gone further.

The big block needs both cells on one side of it to be free before it can move that way. Plan backward from the exit: work out which blocks must leave columns 2 and 3 at the bottom, then which blocks must move out of their way. On the classic layout, the hint starts by sliding the small block under the big one down one cell.

Use corners on purpose. A block that turns a corner in one move can reach a spot that would take several moves otherwise.

Hints show the first move of a shortest solution from wherever you are. Use them to learn the pattern rather than clicking through blindly. Hints do not stop your best from counting. Undo lets you test a route and back out of it, and undone moves are not counted.

If your move count is far above the Minimum chip, undo back to an earlier point and re-plan the two or three blocks around the big one.

How is the minimum move count worked out?

Each level’s minimum is found by a breadth-first search over every possible position, and the result is stored with that level. The classic layout’s minimum of 81 uses the one-move rule above, where a whole slide, including corner turns, counts once. Counting every single-cell step would give a larger number, but this game does not count steps.

Frequently asked questions

Is klotski free to play?

Yes. This klotski puzzle is free in your browser, and you can start any level straight away.

Do I need to sign up to play?

No. There is no account. Your current level, your moves and your best move counts are stored in your browser on this device only, and nothing is sent anywhere.

Can I play klotski on a phone?

Yes. The board scales to fit a 375 px or 320 px wide screen without sideways scrolling, and the toolbar wraps to two lines. Drag blocks with your finger, or tap a block and then an empty cell.

Is my game saved if I leave the page?

Yes, on the same device and in the same browser. Reloading restores the exact position and move counter, and you can switch levels and come back later. Restart clears the saved moves for that level but keeps its best. Playing on another device or browser starts fresh.

Does using Hint or Undo lower my best score?

No. Hints and undo do not disqualify a result, and moves you undo are not counted.

Why does the classic level need 81 moves?

Under this game’s counting rule, one block slide (including any corner turns) is one move. 81 is the fewest moves that solve the classic layout under that rule.

Is there a timer or a move limit?

No. The game has no timer, no move limit and no sound.

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• Water Sort Puzzle: sort mixed colours into separate tubes.
• Peg Solitaire: clear pegs from a board by jumping them over each other.
• Block Puzzle: place block shapes on a grid and clear full rows and columns.
• 2048: combine numbered tiles to reach higher numbers.
• Minesweeper: clear a grid of hidden mines using number clues.
• Tile Match: match tiles to clear the board.
• 15 Puzzle: slide numbered tiles back into order on a 4 × 4 grid.