Last updated: March 2026
What Is Minesweeper?
Minesweeper is one of the most iconic puzzle games ever created, originally bundled with Windows 3.1 in 1992 and played by hundreds of millions of people since. The concept is deceptively simple: uncover all cells on a grid that do not contain mines, using numbered clues that indicate how many mines are adjacent to each cell.
What starts as simple deduction quickly becomes a satisfying logic puzzle. Each number you reveal constrains the possibilities for surrounding cells, and by combining information from multiple numbers, you can deduce exactly which cells are safe and which contain mines. Expert-level games can involve chains of reasoning that rival any logic puzzle in complexity.
Our version includes all the features you expect from a polished Minesweeper implementation: first-click safety, flood fill for blank cells, chord clicking, flagging, a timer, and best time tracking. It works perfectly on desktop and mobile, with no download or signup required.
How to Play Minesweeper
Click any cell to reveal it. If it has no adjacent mines, the entire connected region of blank cells floods open automatically with a satisfying wave animation. If it has adjacent mines, it shows a number indicating how many mines surround it. Your goal is to reveal every non-mine cell.
Right-click (or long-press on mobile) to place a flag on a cell you believe contains a mine. The mine counter at the top left shows how many mines remain unflagged. Flags are for your own tracking; you win by revealing all safe cells, not by flagging all mines.
Chord click by clicking a revealed number when the correct number of adjacent flags are already placed. This auto-reveals all remaining unflagged neighbors, which is the fastest way to clear large sections of the board once you have identified the mines.
The timer starts on your first click and stops when you win or lose. After winning, your time is compared against your session best for that difficulty level. Click the smiley face or change difficulty to start a new game at any time.
Key Features
First-click safety guarantees that your first click always opens a region, never a mine. The minefield is generated after your first click with a 9-cell exclusion zone around your starting position, so you always begin with useful information.
Four difficulty levels cover every skill range. Beginner (9x9, 10 mines) is perfect for learning. Intermediate (16x16, 40 mines) introduces real decision-making. Expert (30x16, 99 mines) demands advanced pattern recognition. Custom mode lets you set any grid size and mine count.
The game is fully responsive and mobile-optimized. On touchscreens, toggle between Reveal and Flag modes with a single tap, or use long-press to flag from any mode. Cell sizes scale to fit your screen, and horizontal scrolling is available for Expert grids on small devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first click always safe?
Yes. The minefield is generated after your first click, guaranteeing that the clicked cell and all 8 of its neighbors are mine-free. This means you always get at least a small opening to start working from, never an instant game over.
How does chord clicking work?
When a revealed number has exactly the right number of adjacent flags, double-clicking that number automatically reveals all remaining unflagged neighbors. This is the key technique for fast play — it lets you clear large areas quickly without clicking each cell individually. Be careful though: if a flag is placed incorrectly, chord clicking will detonate a mine.
What are the difficulty levels?
Beginner is a 9x9 grid with 10 mines (12% density), Intermediate is 16x16 with 40 mines (16% density), and Expert is 30x16 with 99 mines (21% density). You can also create Custom grids with any dimensions from 5x5 to 40x30 and any mine count.
How do I flag mines on mobile?
There are two ways: use the Flag/Reveal mode toggle at the top of the board to switch between tapping to reveal and tapping to flag, or long-press any covered cell for about half a second to place or remove a flag regardless of which mode you are in.
What is the Daily Challenge?
Every day there is a new seeded Intermediate board (16x16, 40 mines) that is the same for everyone. Complete it and share your result! Your daily streak, best times, and win percentage are all tracked in your browser's local storage.
Are my stats saved?
Yes. Games played, wins, win percentage, best times per difficulty, and daily challenge streaks are all saved in your browser's local storage. They persist across sessions but are specific to your browser and device.