Game guide · HBYDMS
Tower of Hanoi: from controls to your first round
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Choose three to eight discs. All discs begin on the left tower. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
One puzzle with adjustable disc count from three to eight. Disc counts are settings, not separate game entries. Undo is available; refreshing restarts.
One thing to notice as you play
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The goal to keep in mind
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
The order of play
- 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.
How to use the controls
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Follow the example
Check the rule below as you play. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves.
Check this before moving on
Check the rule below as you play. Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The game area remains available above the explanation.
If you are unsure
When I start, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, can you show an example?
Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
For this game, can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. The controls work with mouse or touch.