Tetris - Play the Classic Block Puzzle Online
Play instantly with keyboard or touch controls. Stack pieces, clear lines, and challenge your best score.
How to Play Tetris
Tetris is the classic falling-block puzzle. Move and rotate each piece to complete horizontal lines, clear them, and score points.
- Keep clearing lines for as long as possible without letting the stack reach the top.
- Every completed horizontal line disappears immediately and adds to your score.
- Clearing two, three, or four lines together is more efficient and scores more points.
- Pieces fall faster as your level rises, so planning ahead becomes increasingly important.
New to Tetris? Start at a lower level, learn the rhythm, and increase the speed when you feel comfortable.
Controls: Keyboard and Touch
Keyboard controls
- Left / Right Arrow: move the piece horizontally; hold to keep moving.
- Down Arrow: soft drop and earn 1 point per manually dropped cell.
- Up Arrow or click: rotate the piece 90° clockwise.
- Space: hard drop, lock the piece immediately, and earn 2 points per cell.
- Esc or the pause button: pause or resume the game.
Mobile touch controls
- Tap or swipe up briefly to rotate the piece.
- Swipe left or right to move; a quick swipe can cross several columns.
- Swipe down slowly for a soft drop and 1 point per cell.
- Swipe down quickly or farther for a hard drop and 2 points per cell.
- Use the on-screen pause button to pause or resume.
Levels and Scoring
- Choose a starting level from 1 to 10; higher levels make pieces fall faster.
- Your level increases after every 10 cleared lines.
- One line: 40 × level; two lines: 100 × level.
- Three lines: 300 × level; four lines (a Tetris): 1,200 × level.
- Soft drops award 1 point per cell and hard drops 2; score, lines, level, and the next piece update live.
High-Score Tips
Keep the stack manageable
Aim for a flat surface and avoid deep holes that are hard to fill. A clean stack matters more than a quick single-line clear.
Watch the next piece
Use the preview to plan your next placement before the current piece lands.
Protect your rhythm
At higher speeds, consistent inputs and room for recovery are safer than forcing risky clears.
Tetris FAQ
Do I need to download this Tetris game?
No. It runs directly in desktop and mobile browsers, so you can start playing without installing anything.
How do I play Tetris on a phone?
Tap or swipe up to rotate, swipe sideways to move, swipe down slowly for a soft drop, and swipe down quickly for a hard drop.
What is the difference between a soft drop and a hard drop?
A soft drop moves the piece down faster and awards 1 point per cell. A hard drop lands and locks it immediately and awards 2 points per cell.
Do levels affect speed and score?
Yes. The level rises after every 10 cleared lines, pieces fall faster at higher levels, and line-clear points are multiplied by the current level.
Is clearing four lines at once worth more?
Yes. A four-line clear scores 1,200 base points multiplied by the current level, making it one of the best ways to build a high score.