PuzzleDayHow to play minesweeper
- Click a square to open it. If it is a mine, the game is over.
- A number shows how many of the eight surrounding squares hide a mine. A blank square has none, so its neighbours open automatically.
- Right-click (or long-press, or use Flag mode) to mark a square you know is a mine.
- You win when every square without a mine is open. The face button or the R key starts a new game.
Patterns every player should know
The 1-1 at a wall
Two 1s side by side along an edge of the opened area: the mine touching the first 1 is also touching the second, so the square beyond the second 1 is safe.
The 1-2-1
Along a straight edge, 1-2-1 means the mines are opposite the two 1s, and the square opposite the 2 is safe.
The 1-2-2-1
Along a straight edge, the mines are opposite the two 2s, and the squares opposite the 1s are safe.
Counting what is left
The counter at the top left shows mines minus flags. Near the end of a game, comparing it to the remaining unknown squares often settles the last few moves.
Getting faster
- Learn to chord: click a satisfied number to open its neighbours in one go.
- Flag only when it helps — many fast players never flag and chord instead.
- Work along the edge of the open area instead of jumping around the board.
| Level | Board | Mines | Mine density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 9 × 9 | 10 | 12.3% |
| Intermediate | 16 × 16 | 40 | 15.6% |
| Expert | 30 × 16 | 99 | 20.6% |
More logic games
Like deduction? You will enjoy the daily sudoku. For something lighter, try 2048 or the daily word game.
Frequently asked questions
Is the first click always safe?
Yes. Mines are placed only after your first click, never on that cell or the eight cells around it — so your first click always opens an area to work from.
How do I place a flag on a phone?
Press and hold a cell for a moment, or switch the toggle under the board from Dig to Flag and tap. On a computer, right-click.
What is chording?
When a numbered cell already has that many flags around it, click the number to open all its other neighbours at once. It saves a lot of clicks — but if a flag is wrong, you will hit a mine.
What are the board sizes?
Beginner is 9×9 with 10 mines, Intermediate is 16×16 with 40 mines, and Expert is 30×16 with 99 mines — the classic Windows sizes. On narrow screens the expert board is turned upright (16×30) so it fits.
Are best times saved?
Yes, for each level, in your own browser.
Does minesweeper ever require guessing?
Sometimes. In classic minesweeper, a few positions cannot be solved by logic alone and you have to take a 50/50 chance. Good players reduce these by opening safe areas first.