Games / Tic-Tac-Toe
Play Tic-Tac-Toe online with a friend
Classic three in a row, or Ultimate with nine small boards. Free, no download, no sign-up.
- 2 players
- 2 to 15 minutes
- Classic or Ultimate
- Bot opponent
Tic-Tac-Toe is the two-player game everyone learns first: take turns putting an X or an O on a 3 by 3 grid, and line up three to win. Here you can send a friend a link and play from any phone or laptop, or play a bot while you wait. Rounds take under a minute, so a match of first to 3 fits into a coffee break.
If the classic board feels solved (it is, and our Hard bot knows it), switch the table to Ultimate. The board becomes nine small boards in a 3 by 3 grid, and every square you pick sends your opponent to the matching small board. It turns a draw-heavy game into a real test of planning ahead.
Why play Tic-Tac-Toe here
- Classic 3 by 3 and Ultimate 9 by 9 on the same table
- Play a single game, first to 3 or first to 5
- Easy bot for kids and beginners, Hard bot that never loses the classic game
- The starting player swaps every round, so nobody keeps the first-move edge
- Invite a friend with a code or link, with no account or app to install
How to play Tic-Tac-Toe
Open a table
Pick Tic-Tac-Toe and choose Host an online table to play a friend, or Practice against bots to play the computer.
Choose the variant
In the lobby, pick Classic 3×3 or Ultimate 9×9, the match length and the bot skill. Then press Deal me in.
Place your mark
The first seat plays X and moves first in round one. Tap any empty square to place your mark. Players take turns.
Make a line of three
Three of your marks across, down or diagonally wins the round. If all nine squares fill with no line, the round is a draw.
In Ultimate, play where you are sent
The square you choose inside a small board sends your opponent to the matching board, which lights up. Win a small board with three in a row, and win three small boards in a line to take the round.
Win the match
The starting player switches each round. The first player to reach the target number of round wins takes the match.
Tips
- In the classic game, take the centre if it is free. It sits on four of the eight winning lines.
- Look for a move that makes two lines of two at once. Your opponent can only block one of them.
- In Ultimate, check where your move sends your opponent before you make it. Sending them to a board they can win right away is the most common mistake.
- In Ultimate, sending someone to a board that is already won or full lets them play anywhere, so avoid it.
Screenshots
Tic-Tac-Toe questions
Can I play Tic-Tac-Toe online with a friend for free?
Yes. Open Tic-Tac-Toe, choose Host an online table and send your friend the table code or invite link. They join from any browser on a phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to pay, download or install, and neither of you needs an account.
What is Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe?
Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe is a 3 by 3 grid of small Tic-Tac-Toe boards. The square you pick inside a small board decides which small board your opponent must play in next. Win a small board with three in a row, and win three small boards in a line to win the game. Choose Ultimate 9×9 in the table options.
Is Tic-Tac-Toe always a draw?
With perfect play from both sides, classic Tic-Tac-Toe always ends in a draw. That is why the Hard bot here never loses a classic round. Against people and the Easy bot, mistakes happen all the time. If you want a game that stays open, switch to Ultimate, which has no simple drawing strategy.
What happens in Ultimate if I am sent to a finished board?
If the small board you are sent to is already won or completely full, you may play in any open small board. A full small board with no line belongs to nobody. If every small board is decided and nobody has three in a line, the player who won more small boards wins the round.
Can I play Tic-Tac-Toe against the computer?
Yes. Choose Practice against bots and you play a bot straight away. The Easy bot often picks a random square, which suits children and beginners. The Hard bot looks ahead through every possible move in the classic game, so the best you can do against it is a draw.
Who goes first?
The first seat plays X and starts the first round. After that the starting player switches every round, so in a match of first to 3 or first to 5 both players get the same number of chances to move first.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The board fits phones, tablets and desktop browsers, and you play by tapping a square. You do not need an app. You can also use the table chat and quick reactions to talk while you play.