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Tic Tac Toe

X, O, three in a row.

The classic grid. Take turns placing X and O — first to line up three across, down or diagonally wins. Play a friend, or add a computer player.

Create a roomJoin a roomNo sign-up

How to play

  1. 1Two players: X and O. Extra people in the room watch until a seat opens.
  2. 2On your turn, claim one empty square.
  3. 3Line up three of your mark — across, down or diagonally — to win.
  4. 4Grid full with no line? It's a draw. Starting player swaps each rematch.
  5. 5No friend free? The host can add a computer player from the lobby.

How to play Tic Tac Toe online with a friend

Tic Tac Toe is a two-player game, so setup takes seconds: one of you creates a room, and the other joins with the four-digit code, the QR code or the link. Nobody makes an account and nothing gets installed — it runs in the browser on a phone, tablet or laptop.

You don't need to be in the same place. Send the link in a chat, or read the code out over a call, and you're both looking at the same grid in real time. Anyone else who joins the room watches as a spectator until a seat frees up, so a group can rotate the loser out and keep a winning streak going.

No opponent free? The host can add a computer player from the lobby and play straight away.

Tic Tac Toe rules in full

  • The grid is 3 by 3. One player is X and the other is O. On your turn you claim one empty square.
  • Three of your marks in a row wins: across, down or either diagonal.
  • If all nine squares fill up with no line of three, the game is a draw.
  • On a rematch the player who moved first swaps, so nobody gets a permanent first-move advantage.
  • If your opponent drops off, the game pauses instead of ending. They rejoin the same seat and the same grid if they reconnect.

Tips for winning at Tic Tac Toe

  • Start in a corner or the centre. Those squares sit on the most possible lines, so they give you the most options.
  • Aim for a fork: two lines that each need one more mark. Your opponent can only block one of them.
  • Always check for a block before you build. If your opponent has two in a row, close it first.
  • Playing O? If X opens in a corner, take the centre. Any other reply loses against good play.

Tic Tac Toe questions

Can I play Tic Tac Toe online with a friend for free?
Yes. It's free, needs no account and runs in your browser. One person creates a room and the other joins with the room code or link.
Can I play Tic Tac Toe against the computer?
Yes. Create a room and add a computer player from the lobby before you start. It plays well but makes the odd mistake, so it can be beaten.
Who goes first?
The first game starts with X. After that, the starting player swaps on every rematch.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Tap a square to place your mark. There's nothing to download.
Start a Tic Tac Toe roomJoin with a code

At a glance

Players
2
Length
1–3 min · Quick
Ages
5+
Difficulty
Easy
Online play
Yes — join strangers

Tic Tac Toe guides and articles

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