Tic Tac Toe Online
The classic noughts and crosses game — play vs the computer or challenge a friend. Free, instant, no download needed.
How to Play Tic Tac Toe
1. Choose Your Mode
Play vs the Computer (AI) or pass the device to a friend for 2-player mode.
2. Pick Difficulty
Hard uses an unbeatable AI — your best result is a draw. Easy makes random moves.
3. Take Turns
You play as X and always go first. Click any empty square to place your mark.
4. Win the Round
Get three of your marks in a row — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — before your opponent does.
About Tic Tac Toe
Tic Tac Toe (also called Noughts and Crosses or Xs and Os) is one of the oldest and most universally played strategy games in the world. Two players take turns marking spaces in a 3×3 grid; the first to place three marks in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row wins the game.
Although the game is simple enough for young children to learn in seconds, it has surprising mathematical depth. With optimal play from both sides, Tic Tac Toe is always a draw — making it a great introduction to game theory and the concept of a "solved game".
Our online version offers an unbeatable AI powered by the minimax algorithm — the same technique used in chess engines — so you can practise your strategy, challenge a friend in 2-player mode, or simply enjoy a quick game whenever you need a mental refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I beat the computer on Hard mode?
No — on Hard mode the AI plays perfectly using the minimax algorithm. With perfect play on both sides, Tic Tac Toe always ends in a draw, so the best outcome you can achieve is a tie. Switch to Easy mode if you want to practise winning.
Who goes first?
You always go first as X. In 2-player mode, X goes first for every new game. The first-mover has a slight strategic advantage, but the second player can always force a draw with correct play.
How does the Easy difficulty work?
On Easy, the computer picks a random available square each turn instead of thinking strategically. This makes it beatable and is ideal for younger players or for a more relaxed game.
Does the game save my scores?
Scores are kept for the current browser session. Clicking "Reset Scores" sets them back to zero, and closing the tab also clears them.
What is Noughts and Crosses?
Noughts and Crosses is the British name for Tic Tac Toe. "Noughts" (O) and "crosses" (X) refer to the two symbols the players use. The game is known by many names around the world, including Xs and Os, OXO, and Three in a Row.
Is this game free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up, no download, and no ads interrupting gameplay. Just click a cell and start playing.