Gooby
Shift: the 15 puzzle, slid home in fewer moves
The classic sliding tile puzzle. Slide the tiles back into order with the gap in the bottom-right corner — 3×3 up to 6×6, with numbers, gradients or pictures — and try to finish close to par, the fewest moves possible. 1,200 puzzles, no ads, no sign-up.
How to play Shift
- Put the tiles in order — 1, 2, 3 … across the rows — with the gap in the bottom-right corner.
- Tiles only move into the gap. Tap a tile in the gap's row or column and the whole line slides at once.
- Par is the fewest moves the board can be solved in. Finish within two and a half times par for three stars.
Controls
- Tap a tile in line with the gap, or swipe a tile towards it.
- Switch the tiles between numbers, a gradient and a picture any time; hold Peek to see the finished board.
How to solve the 15 puzzle
1. Top rows first
Solve the board one row at a time from the top. Place the first tiles of a row directly; for the last two of a row, park the last tile under its spot first, then bring the other one round and slide both in together.
2. Last two rows, column by column
When two rows are left, switch to columns: solve the bottom two rows from the left, two tiles at a time, the same trick turned on its side.
3. Rotate the last corner
The final 2×2 corner always solves by turning the three tiles round the gap until they fall into place.
Hints in the game follow exactly this method, one step at a time, and only move the tiles that step needs.
Boards and difficulty
| Tier | Board | Shuffle |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 3×3 (8 puzzle) | Light |
| Medium | 3×3 | Full |
| Hard | 4×4 (15 puzzle) | Light |
| Expert | 4×4 | Full |
| Master | 5×5 (24 puzzle) | Full |
| Extreme | 6×6 (35 puzzle) | Full |
Difficulty adapts to you: every finished puzzle updates your rating and the next one is picked around it.
Shift questions
Is Shift the 15 puzzle?
Yes. On a 4×4 board Shift is the classic 15 puzzle; 3×3 is the 8 puzzle, and the biggest boards are the 24 and 35 puzzles. Every board can be solved — it is dealt from the solved position.
What is par?
Par is the fewest moves the board can be solved in, worked out by a solver for every puzzle. Finish within two and a half times par for three stars.
How do I solve a sliding puzzle?
Work row by row from the top: place the first row, then the next, until two rows are left; then solve the last two rows column by column from the left, and finish the last 2×2 corner by rotating it. The hints in the game walk you through each step.
Can I play with pictures?
Yes. Choose numbers, a colour gradient or a picture for the tiles at any time, even in the middle of a game. Hold Peek to see the finished board.
Can I play Shift offline?
Yes. After the first visit it works with no connection. Add it to your home screen to use it like an app — here's how.