💣 Minesweeper

Left-click to reveal cells. Right-click (or long-press) to flag mines. Numbers show adjacent mines. Reveal all safe cells to win.

💣
10
Mines left
00:00
Time
⏱️
Best times: Easy: --    Medium: --    Hard: --

How to Play Minesweeper

Left-click any cell to reveal it. If it is safe, a number appears showing how many of the 8 surrounding cells contain mines. Use these numbers to deduce which cells are safe and which contain mines. Right-click (or long-press on mobile) to place a flag on a cell you believe contains a mine. The game is won when all safe cells are revealed.

Your first click is always safe. Mines are placed after your first click, so you will never lose immediately. If you click a completely empty area with no adjacent mines, the board automatically reveals all connected empty cells, which can uncover a large area at once.

How to Use the Numbers

A "1" means exactly one mine is in the 8 cells surrounding it. A "3" means three mines are nearby. When you know a cell must be a mine, because all surrounding unrevealed cells account for the shown number, flag it. When all mines around a revealed number are flagged, you can safely reveal the remaining cells next to it.

The most common mistake is over-flagging cells you are uncertain about. Flags are best reserved for cells you are mathematically certain contain mines. Guessing on flags leads to incorrect deductions later in the game.

Minesweeper Strategy

Start in corners or edges where the number constraints are strongest. Work inward from safe areas. On hard difficulty, you will occasionally encounter genuinely ambiguous positions where a 50/50 guess is unavoidable. This is a known property of Minesweeper and is not a puzzle you have missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a number mean in Minesweeper?
The number shows exactly how many mines are hidden in the 8 surrounding cells. A 1 means one adjacent mine. Use these numbers to figure out which cells are safe to click and which to flag.
Can you always win Minesweeper without guessing?
No. On most difficulty settings, some games reach a 50/50 position where a guess is unavoidable. This is a known property of Minesweeper. Guessing occasionally is part of the game, not a sign you missed something.
How do I flag a mine on mobile?
Long-press any hidden cell for half a second to place or remove a flag. On desktop, right-click works. A flag prevents you from accidentally revealing a cell you believe is a mine.
What does the smiley face do?
Clicking the smiley face resets the current game and starts a fresh board at the same difficulty. It shows a dead face when you hit a mine and a cool face when you win.

Try These Next