Classic rules
Minesweeper Rules
The rules of Minesweeper are simple: reveal safe squares, avoid mines, and use numbers as clues. The challenge comes from reading those clues accurately.
Basic rules
- Click or tap a hidden square to reveal it.
- If the square contains a mine, the game ends.
- If the square is safe, it may show a number or open empty space.
- A number counts mines in the eight surrounding squares.
- You win when all safe squares are revealed.
Difficulty levels
| Difficulty | Classic setup | Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 9 × 9 with 10 mines | Short games and easy learning. |
| Intermediate | 16 × 16 with 40 mines | More space and more deductions. |
| Expert | 30 × 16 with 99 mines | Large board with higher mine density. |
Flag rules
A flag marks a square you believe contains a mine. You can remove a flag if your logic changes. Flags help with counting, but the real winning condition is opening all safe squares.
Safe first click
This web version uses a safe first click. Mines are placed after your first move, so your opening click is never a mine.
Mobile controls
Mobile players can tap to open squares and long-press to flag. On Expert mode, the board may scroll because the classic layout is wider than a phone screen.