Take turns drawing lines between dots on a grid, and whoever closes the fourth side of a box claims it and goes again. The player who owns the most boxes when the grid fills up wins this classic pencil-and-paper duel.
How to play Dots & Boxes
- Take turns drawing one line between two adjacent dots
- Complete the fourth side of a box to claim it
- Take another turn immediately whenever you close a box
- Fill the whole grid, then count who owns more boxes
Tips & strategy
- Avoid drawing the third side of a box and handing your opponent a free claim
- Set up chains so a single move opens a run of boxes for you
- Sacrifice a small chain to force your opponent to open a bigger one
Controls: Tap or click between two dots to draw a line.
Dots & Boxes — FAQ
Can I play Dots & Boxes against a friend?
Yes, it supports 2 players sharing the same screen.
Who wins Dots & Boxes?
The player who claims the most boxes once every line is drawn.
How do you play Dots and Boxes?
Players take turns drawing a single line between two adjacent dots on the grid, and whoever draws the fourth side of a box claims it and takes another turn. The player with the most boxes when the grid is full wins.
What is the goal of Dots and Boxes?
The goal is to claim more boxes than your opponent by completing the fourth side of each square. Owning the majority of boxes when the grid fills up wins the game.
Is there a strategy to win Dots and Boxes?
Avoid drawing the third side of a box, since that hands a free square to your opponent, and try to force them into making the giveaway move. Sacrificing a small chain to win a bigger one later is a key advanced tactic.
Can I play Dots and Boxes 2 player and is it free?
Yes, you can play Dots and Boxes as a 2 player game on one device or against the computer, free in your browser with no download. It also works fully offline in the free Offline Games Arcade app for iOS and Android.
