Rules
How to play Tic Tac Toe
The rules are simple; the tactics are not. Here's everything you need to know about every mode.
game mode
3×3 · Classic
3 in a row
The classic game. Three marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line wins. With perfect play on both sides, the game ends in a draw.
game mode
4×4 · Bigger
4 in a row
Four in a row on a four-by-four board. Longer matches, deeper tactics, and significantly fewer draws.
game mode
5×5 · Strategic
4 in a row
Four in a row on a five-wide board. More space means more ways to build two simultaneous threats at once.
game mode
Ultimate · Nested
3 mini-boards in a row
Nine interconnected 3×3 grids. Your move’s position dictates which mini-board your opponent must play in next.
Know the rules? Learn the patterns to win every match.
Explore center control, fork traps, and the mathematics of forced draws.
regional names & faq
Tic-Tac-Toe Names Around the World
Also known as XO game, Xs and Os, or noughts and crosses (naughts and crosses) — tic-tac-toe goes by many names around the world, but the rules are the same everywhere. Whether you call it the XO XO game or classic noughts and crosses, two tic-tac-toe players take turns placing their symbols on a 3x3 tic-tac-toe board to get three in a row.
Is XO game the same as tic-tac-toe?
Yes, XO game (or Xs and Os / XO XO game) is the exact same game as tic-tac-toe. Players take turns marking a 3x3 board with X and O to align three symbols in a row.
Is noughts and crosses the same as tic-tac-toe?
Yes, noughts and crosses (also spelled naughts and crosses) is the traditional British and Commonwealth English name for tic-tac-toe. Nought refers to the O (zero) mark and cross refers to the X mark.
What are the rules of two player tic-tac-toe?
Two tic-tac-toe players choose X or O and alternate turns marking empty spaces on a classic 3x3 tic-tac-toe board. The first player to connect three marks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins. If all nine squares fill with no line, the game ends in a draw.
Put the rules into practice.
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