About the game
Play Connect Four (Connect 4) online
Drop, stack, and link four of your discs in a row before your rival does.
Play Connect Four (Connect 4) free in your browser: the computer, a friend on one screen, or invite a friend online with a link. Line up four in a row to win.
Play vs the computer, pass the phone to a friend, invite a friend online, or play someone new. When nobody’s free, one of our robot players may step in. Free, in your browser, no sign-up.
How to play Connect Four
- 1Pick who you’re playing: the computer, a friend online with a room code, a friend on the same screen, or someone new with Quick match.
- 2Players take turns dropping one colored disc into any column.
- 3The disc falls to the lowest open slot in that column.
- 4Connect four of your discs in a line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) to win.
- 5Watch your opponent's threats and block them before they reach four.
Rules
- The board is a vertical 7-column × 6-row grid shared by both players.
- Players alternate turns, dropping one disc into a column each turn.
- Discs stack from the bottom up: you can only land on the lowest open slot.
- Four of your discs in a line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) wins.
- If the board fills up with no line of four, the match is a draw.
Connect Four questions
How do you win at Connect Four?
Get four of your discs in a line: across, up and down, or slanting. The trick is a double threat: set up two lines that each need one more disc. Your opponent can only block one of them.
What's the best first move?
The middle column. It's part of more lines of four than any other, so a disc there helps you most and blocks your opponent most.
Is Connect Four solved? Can you always win?
Yes. In 1988 James Allen and Victor Allis showed the first player always wins with perfect play, starting in the middle. It takes thousands of exact moves, so in real games anyone can win.
How many rows does Connect Four have?
Six rows and seven columns: 42 spaces, so each player gets at most 21 discs.
Does a square of four count?
No. Only four in a straight line counts, so watch the slanting lines: they're the easiest to miss.
Can I play Connect Four with a friend online?
Yes. Tap Invite a friend and send them the link; when they open it you're in the same game. Or pass one phone or tablet between you.
How hard is the computer?
Three levels. Easy drops mostly at random, Medium wins or blocks if it can, and Hard thinks a few moves ahead. Beat Hard and you've earned a star.
The full guide, with strategy: How to win at Connect Four