Game guide · GZZXY
How to play Tower of Hanoi
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. Choose three to eight discs. All discs begin on the left tower. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
One puzzle with adjustable disc count from three to eight. Disc counts are settings, not separate game entries. Undo is available; refreshing restarts.
Something to practise
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc.
The challenge in front of you
Check the rule below as you play. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
From the start of a round
- Choose three to eight discs. All discs begin on the left tower.
- Select the source tower, then the destination tower. Only the top disc moves.
- An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc.
- Use Undo to reverse a move. Complete the puzzle when the right tower holds the whole stack.
Making selections and moves
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection.
Follow the example
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Pay attention to this rule
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
More answers before you play
On this page, what is the aim of Tower of Hanoi?
Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. The instructions above use these same rules.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can you show an example?
Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, what rules and limits are used here?
One puzzle with adjustable disc count from three to eight. Disc counts are settings, not separate game entries. Undo is available; refreshing restarts. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, what is the minimum number of moves?
For n discs the minimum is 2^n − 1. The board shows the minimum for your selected disc count. No download or player account is required.
During a round, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.