About the game
Play Snakes and Ladders online
Roll the die, climb the ladders, slide down the snakes. Get every piece to 100.
Play Snakes and Ladders free in your browser: the computer, a friend on one screen, or invite a friend online by link. 9 ladders, 7 snakes, 1, 2 or 4 pieces.
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 Snakes and Ladders
- 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.
- 2Pick 1, 2 or 4 pieces each.
- 3Tap the die to roll it, then tap a glowing piece to move it that many squares.
- 4Land on the foot of a ladder to climb it. Land on a snake's head and you slide down. A 6 rolls again.
- 5Get every piece to square 100 with the exact number. First to do it wins.
Rules
- The board has 100 squares, 9 ladders and 7 snakes. Each player has 1, 2 or 4 pieces (4 is the usual). Pieces start off the board, and a roll of 3 puts one on square 3.
- On your turn you roll one die and move one piece that many squares. With more than one piece you choose which. If no piece can move, the turn passes.
- A piece that ends on the foot of a ladder climbs to its top. One that ends on a snake's head slides to its tail. The biggest climb is 28 to 84, and the longest slide is 87 to 54.
- A 6 always rolls again, even when no piece can move. Pieces can share a square, and nobody gets knocked off.
- You need the exact number to land on 100. A roll that goes past it can't move that piece. First to bring all their pieces to 100 wins.
Snakes and Ladders questions
How do you play Snakes and Ladders?
Roll the die and move a piece that many squares. A ladder's foot lifts you up, a snake's head drops you down. A 6 rolls again. Get every piece to square 100 first.
Can I play with 1, 2 or 4 pieces?
Yes, pick 1, 2 or 4 before you start. With 4 you choose which piece takes each roll, and that's where the skill is. With 1 there's nothing to choose, so it's all luck and there's no level to pick.
Do you need an exact roll to finish?
Yes. A piece has to land on 100 exactly. On 97 it needs a 3; a 4 can't move it, so you move another piece, or the turn passes if none can go.
What happens when I roll a 6?
You roll again. It happens even when none of your pieces can move with the 6.
How many snakes and ladders are there?
9 ladders and 7 snakes. The biggest ladder runs from 28 up to 84, and the longest snake slides from 87 down to 54. Three snakes sit on 93, 95 and 98, so the last stretch is the risky one.
Is Snakes and Ladders luck or skill?
Mostly luck, because the die decides how far you go. But with 2 or 4 pieces you pick who moves, and that adds up: Hard beats Easy about 74% of games with 2 pieces and 94% with 4.
Can I play Snakes and Ladders 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 picks its best piece 1 turn in 5, Medium 7 turns in 10, and Hard every turn. The rest of the time it moves a random piece. With 1 piece there's no choice to make, so no level.
The full guide, with strategy: Snakes and Ladders rules, and which piece to move