Tic Tac Toe: Play Online Against the Computer or a Friend
Play tic tac toe online, the classic game of X and O (also called noughts and crosses). Take on the computer at easy, medium or unbeatable level, or pass the device and play against a friend. The score is kept for you, and a new round is one tap away.
Quick answer: Tap a square to place your X. Get three in a row across, down or diagonally to win. Against the unbeatable computer, the best you can do is a draw, so try medium first.
How to play tic tac toe
- The board is a 3 by 3 grid. One player is X and the other is O.
- Players take turns placing their mark in an empty square.
- The first to get three marks in a row, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, wins.
- If all nine squares are full and nobody has three in a row, the game is a draw.
Tic tac toe strategy: how to never lose
- Start in a corner. As X, a corner opening gives your opponent the most chances to go wrong. The center is also strong.
- Answer a corner with the center. If your opponent opens in a corner, take the middle square or you will probably lose.
- Block first, then attack. Each turn, check whether you can win, then whether you must block two in a row.
- Make a fork. The winning trick is to create two lines of two at once, so your opponent can only block one.
With perfect play from both sides, tic tac toe always ends in a draw. That is why the unbeatable level uses the minimax method: it looks ahead at every possible move and never makes a mistake. The easy and medium levels mix in random moves so you can win.
Game modes
| Mode | Good for |
|---|---|
| Computer: easy | Kids and beginners; mostly random moves |
| Computer: medium | A fair challenge; plays well most of the time |
| Computer: unbeatable | Testing your strategy; you can only draw |
| Friend (2 players) | Two people taking turns on one phone or computer |
Ready for something bigger? Try four in a row, test your brain with the memory game or play rock paper scissors.
FAQ
Is it called tic tac toe or noughts and crosses?
Both. Americans say tic tac toe; in the UK, Ireland, Australia and India it is often called noughts and crosses. The rules are the same.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The game works in any browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to install.
More free games and tools
See all of them on the QuickOnlineTips free online tools page and the free online games page.