How to play Minesweeper
A practical guide to the objective, legal flow, and decisions that matter in this playable version.
Objective
Minesweeper asks you to reveal every safe square without opening a mine. Each revealed number reports how many mines occupy the eight neighbouring squares. Flags mark suspected mines but do not replace the need to reveal all safe cells.
How a turn works
Open a covered square to reveal either a number, an empty region, or a mine. Place or remove a flag on a covered square when the surrounding clues justify it. Use chord-style reveals only when the number of adjacent flags matches the clue and those flags are trustworthy.
Strategy that changes the outcome
Convert each number into a constraint. If a clue already touches the required number of flags, its other covered neighbours are safe. If the remaining covered neighbours equal the number of unmarked mines still required, all of them are mines. Combine overlapping clue regions instead of guessing from one number alone.
First decision: Translate each number into a constraint on adjacent hidden squares and flag only when the mine location is logically forced.
A common mistake to avoid
Flagging a plausible square too early can make later chord actions dangerous. A flag is a working conclusion, not a revealed fact, so revisit it when nearby constraints disagree.
Three useful table habits
- Start from revealed borders where fewer unknown neighbours exist.
- Compare overlapping clues to eliminate ambiguous squares.
- Use flags for forced mines, not merely likely ones.
A question players ask
Does Minesweeper always require guessing?
Many boards can be solved logically, but some generated positions may leave symmetric possibilities. Exhaust every overlapping constraint first; if a guess remains, choose the square with the lowest inferred risk rather than clicking randomly.
About this guide
We compare the rules shown in the game with the implemented legal moves, complete representative deals, and review desktop and mobile presentation. If a house rule changes play, the in-game How to play panel takes precedence. Read How games are researched and tested.