Tic Tac Toe, also called Noughts and Crosses or Xs and Os, is the simplest strategy game in the world and the perfect quick match when you have thirty seconds to spare. Take turns placing X or O on a 3x3 grid and get three in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally to win. This free online version adds everything the paper game lacks: instant online opponents, private rooms to challenge friends on any device, an AI that scales from beginner to unbeatable, larger boards for a real challenge, best-of series, chat, emotes and leaderboards. Two people can even play on one phone in local mode. It runs in any browser with no download, no app and no account.

How to Play Tic Tac Toe

1. One player is X, the other is O. X goes first.
2. Take turns placing your mark in an empty square.
3. The first player to get three of their marks in a row, column or diagonal wins.
4. If all nine squares fill with no winner, the game is a draw.
5. Rematch instantly or play a best-of-3 or best-of-5 series.

Game Modes and Features

• Online multiplayer against friends or random opponents
• Private rooms with invite links
• Local 2-player mode on one device
• AI opponent from easy to unbeatable
• Bigger boards: 5x5 and larger with four or five in a row to win
• Best-of series and win tracking
• Chat, emotes and quick rematch
• Leaderboards and stats
• Works on any browser, phone or tablet

Tic Tac Toe Strategy Tips

• Take the center first. It is part of four possible winning lines.
• If the center is taken, take a corner. Corners belong to three lines; edges only two.
• Always block an opponent's two in a row before building your own.
• Create a fork: two winning threats at once that cannot both be blocked.
• With perfect play, 3x3 always ends in a draw, so try the bigger boards for real strategy.