Games Like 2048 (2026): 9 Number and Sliding Puzzle Games

2048 is easy to learn and hard to put down. You slide the tiles, matching numbers merge, and you try to reach the big one before the board fills up. According to Wikipedia, it grew out of an earlier game called Threes, and a whole family of merging and number puzzles has grown up around it since.

Here are nine games like 2048, listed in no particular order and sorted from A to Z. Some slide and merge tiles, while others use numbers in a different way, such as grids, sums and logic. I used each game's own website or store page, so the notes are short and I've left out anything I couldn't confirm there. If you'd like even more brain teasers, my guide to free offline puzzle games for PC is a good next step.

Number and sliding puzzle games at a glance

In the free to play column, Yes means the game's own site or store page presents it as free. No means it isn't listed as free, so please check the listing for your country before you try it. Pages change, so don't rely on this table alone.

Game	Platforms	Good for	Free to play
0h h1	Browser, iOS, Android	A calm colour-grid logic puzzle	Yes
0h n0	Browser, iOS, Android	Counting what each dot can see	Yes
2048 Dungeons	Windows	2048 tile merging mixed with a dungeon adventure	No
2048x2048	Windows	Classic slide and merge on a larger scale	No
HexaMerge 2048	Windows	Merging number tiles on a hex grid	No
KenKen	Web, iOS, Android	Arithmetic grid puzzles in daily sizes	Yes
Sudoku.com	Web, iOS, Android	Classic Sudoku in your browser or on your phone	Yes
Sumplete	Web	A daily puzzle where you delete numbers to hit targets	Yes
Threes	iPhone, iPad	The original number slider that came before 2048	No

Nine number puzzle games to try after 2048, A to Z

0h h1

Best for: People who enjoy quiet logic puzzles with tiny rules: fill the grid with two colours without breaking the pattern.

0h n0

Best for: Puzzle fans who like a small, clever challenge where numbered dots show how many others they can see.

2048 Dungeons

Best for: Players who know the merging idea well and want a roguelite twist that turns a puzzle into an adventure.

2048x2048

Best for: Fans of the original who'd like the same slide-and-merge feel with a bigger board to plan around.

HexaMerge 2048

Best for: Players who want the 2048 idea with six directions to move in and no timer to rush them.

KenKen

Best for: Anyone who likes using sums and logic to fill a grid, with daily puzzles in several sizes.

Sudoku.com

Best for: Puzzlers who want the familiar number grid, easy to pick up for a few minutes at a time.

Sumplete

Best for: People who like number logic and a daily challenge, with a free optional account to keep streaks.

Threes

Best for: Players curious about the game that inspired 2048, with simple swipes and a gentle, tidy look.

Why 2048 hooks people, and what to look for next

Part of the 2048 charm is its tiny size: there's one move, a swipe, and a clear goal. When you look for a replacement, ask yourself which part you'd like to keep.

• The merging. Joining matching tiles into bigger ones is the heart of the original. Some games keep it and add a new twist, such as a hex grid or a dungeon.
• The planning. If you enjoy thinking three moves ahead, logic grids and sum puzzles will feel familiar.
• The calm. Many number puzzles have no timer, which makes them relaxing rather than frantic.
• The daily habit. Some games offer one new puzzle a day, so you can finish in a few minutes and move on.
• The device. Check whether you want to play in a browser, on a phone or on a computer, and look at the platform listed for each game.

Merging games, logic grids and daily puzzles: which suits you

• Merging fans should look at the games that keep the slide-and-combine idea, since they feel closest to the original.
• Logic lovers may prefer the grids where rules decide each square.
• Arithmetic fans can try the sum and number puzzles, which reward quick mental maths.
• Daily players will enjoy the games that serve up one challenge each day.
• Curious players might like trying the game that inspired 2048, just to see where the idea began.

If you play on the move, offline puzzle games for a plane journey lists options for travelling, and small offline PC games that still look good suits older machines.

Questions to ask before you try a 2048 style puzzle

• Do I want to merge tiles, or would I enjoy a different number puzzle?
• Does it run in my browser, or do I need an app or a computer?
• Is it free, or does the listing show something else?
• Do I want a daily puzzle or unlimited play?
• Is there an age rating on the store page, if a child may play?

Tips for playing slide and merge puzzles

• Keep your biggest number in one corner and build around it.
• Try to move in only two or three directions for most of the game.
• Look one move ahead before you swipe, not just at the current board.
• Don't panic when the board looks full. A single merge can open space.
• Take a break if you're stuck. Fresh eyes often spot a better move.

A note for parents about number puzzle games

Most puzzle games are gentle, but listings still differ. Check the age rating on each store page, look at any ads or online features, and let your child try it with you first. The only rating I read was on an App Store entry, and it shows 4+.

Slip-ups when choosing games like 2048

• Expecting every game to merge tiles when some use numbers in a different way.
• Downloading several and never settling into one.
• Ignoring the platform listing and finding the game isn't on your device.
• Playing when tired, which makes puzzles feel harder than they are.
• Forgetting that short, regular sessions often beat one long marathon.

Do you make mobile or PC games? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Your next number puzzle after 2048

Pick the part of 2048 you'd miss most, whether that's the merging, the planning or the calm. Try two games that match, play each for a few days, and keep the one you want to open first. For something to play with a friend, two-player games on one phone is a nice change.

For the rest of the series, see the Free Games to Play Offline and Online: Every Guide in One Place (2026).

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest game to 2048?

Games that slide and merge number tiles are the closest. The game that inspired 2048 is also worth trying, and some newer versions change the grid or add a twist.

Are there free number puzzle games?

Yes. Several games on this page present themselves as free on their own sites. Others are listed as not free, so check the listing before you try them.

Do I need to download anything?

Not always. Some of these puzzles run in a browser, while others have apps or are for Windows. The table shows the platforms each game's own page mentions.

Are number puzzles good for the brain?

They're a fun way to practise planning and mental arithmetic. I wouldn't promise any particular benefit, but many people find them relaxing and satisfying.

Are these games suitable for children?

Ratings differ from game to game. Check the age rating on each store page, look for ads or online features, and play together first if you're unsure.