Beginner guide

How to Play Minesweeper

Minesweeper looks simple, but every number is a clue. This guide explains the rules clearly so you can start playing with less guessing and more logic.

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The goal

Your goal is to reveal every safe square on the board. Some hidden squares contain mines. If you open a mine, the game ends. If you reveal all safe squares, you win.

What the numbers mean

Each number tells you how many mines touch that square. The count includes the eight possible neighbors: left, right, top, bottom, and the four diagonals.

Example: if a 1 touches only one hidden square, that hidden square must be a mine. Flag it, then use nearby numbers to find safe moves.

How to use flags

Flags are markers. They do not win the game by themselves, but they help you avoid opening squares you believe contain mines. On desktop, right-click to flag. On mobile, long-press to flag.

Simple first steps

  1. Open a square near the center to create space.
  2. Look for numbers touching a small group of hidden squares.
  3. Flag obvious mines before opening risky squares.
  4. When a number has enough flags around it, open the remaining neighboring squares.

Common beginner mistake

The most common mistake is opening random squares while there are still logical moves available. Always check whether a number is already satisfied by flags before you guess.

Best level to start

Beginner mode is the best starting point because it uses a 9 × 9 board with 10 mines. After you can win consistently, move to Intermediate. Expert mode is much wider and requires better edge reading.