Match 3

Match 3 is a tile-swapping puzzle played over six levels, on boards from 5×5 up to 7 rows by 6 columns, with four to six kinds of tiles. Swap two neighboring tiles to line up three or more of the same kind in a row or column. Matched tiles clear, the tiles above fall into the gaps, and new tiles drop in from the top. If those falling tiles make new lines, they clear too, and each extra wave raises a combo multiplier.

Each level has a target score. Level 1 has no move limit, so you can't lose it; from Level 2 on you have 30 moves or fewer to reach the target, and clearing a level opens the next one.

Controls

• Tap or click one tile, then tap a tile next to it (above, below, left, or right) to swap them.
• You can also swipe from a tile toward the neighbor you want to swap it with.
• On a keyboard, move around the board with the arrow keys, and press Space or Enter to select a tile and then swap it with an adjacent one.

A swap only happens if it makes a match. If it doesn't, the tiles slide back and you don't lose a move. The board also starts with no ready-made lines, so every point comes from your moves.

What counts as a match

• A match is a straight line of 3 or more identical tiles, horizontal or vertical.
• If one swap makes a horizontal and a vertical line at the same time, both lines score, even if they share a tile.
• There are no special power-up tiles. Your points come only from lines and the cascades they cause.

Scoring

Line length	Points
3 tiles	100
4 tiles	250
5 or more tiles	500

Every wave of clearing is multiplied by the combo level. The matches you make directly score at 1x. If falling tiles create a new line, that second wave scores at 1.5x, a third wave at 2x, a fourth at 2.5x, and so on. A single swap that sets off a long cascade can be worth more than several ordinary moves.

Rewards

Your final score sets your reward tier:

Final score	Tier	Coins	XP
Under 2,000	Starter	10	25
2,000+	Bronze	25	60
5,000+	Silver	60	125
10,000+	Gold	125	250

Beating your best score adds another 50 XP. Coins and XP go to your profile when the round ends.

There is no daily limit. Play as many rounds as you like.

Tips

• Work from the bottom. Matches near the bottom move more tiles when they clear, which gives cascades a better chance. A match near the top only shifts a few tiles.
• Look for four and five in a row. A line of 4 is worth two and a half times a line of 3, and a line of 5 is worth five times as much. Spending one setup move to turn a 3 into a 4 often pays off.
• Make matches that create matches. Before swapping, check what will fall into the gap. If the tiles above will land next to a pair of the same kind, you've found a cascade.
• Scan in both directions. It's easy to hunt only for horizontal lines. Vertical lines often go unnoticed, and so do swaps that finish lines in both directions at once.
• Spend your last moves on big lines. With a few moves to go, there's nothing to set up for, so take the highest-scoring match available each turn.

Our article Why cascades beat quick matches in Match 3 goes deeper into planning chain reactions.

Common mistakes

• Taking the first match you see. On the later levels moves are limited, so each one should do as much as possible.
• Ignoring the bottom rows, where the best cascades start.
• Forgetting that failed swaps are free. If you're unsure whether a swap works, try it.

FAQ

What if there are no moves left?

If the tiles ever settle with no possible match, the board reshuffles automatically so you can keep playing.

Can I end a round early?

Yes. Ending early scores the points you have and gives you the reward for that score.

How many rounds can I play?

As many as you like. There is no daily limit, and your unlocked levels are saved in this browser.

Where is my best score?

Your best score is saved in this browser and shown on the start screen.