Dots and Boxes: Rules and How to Play
Dots and Boxes is a 10-minute pencil-and-paper classic for 2. Join dots with lines and claim more squares than your opponent. Free in your browser, no sign-up.
Setup
- 2 players. On your own, play against the computer.
- The default board is 5 squares wide and 4 high, with 6×5 dots. You can also choose 3, 4 or 5 squares per side.
How to play
- On your turn, draw one undrawn line between two neighbouring dots. Diagonals are not allowed.
- Tap the line you want (between two dots) once to draw it.
- Drawing the fourth side of a square claims it, and your icon appears in the middle of the square.
- If one line completes two squares at once, you claim both.
Winning and scoring
- A player who claims a square draws another line straight away. The turn passes only when no square is claimed.
- The game ends once every square is claimed. The player with more squares wins.
- Equal scores are a draw. A player may also resign.
Defaults on this site
| Item | Default on this site |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 players (set automatically by the party size) |
| Turn time limit | None by default (the host can set 30 or 60 seconds) |
| If someone drops mid-game | Reopening on the same device returns you to your seat. If you do not return, the CPU plays in your place. |
| Draws | In ranked play, a draw counts as halfway between a win and a loss for your rating. |
| Source of the rules | Based on the standard reference rules |
Rules supervised by Qdan, Inc. (based on the standard reference rules)
House rules
Defaults follow the standard reference rules. The party can change these.
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board size | The default is 5 squares wide and 4 high (6×5 dots). You can also choose 3, 4 or 5 squares per side. | 5 wide × 4 high | Can be changed |
| Swap first player on rematch | Play again switches who moves first. | On | Can be changed |
Terms
- Dot
- A point that lines connect. The default board has 30 dots, 6 across and 5 down.
- Line
- An edge between neighbouring dots. Two squares share the same edge, so it can be drawn only once.
- Box
- A square with all four sides drawn. It belongs to whoever drew the fourth side.
- Third side
- A square that needs one more line. Creating one hands a square to your opponent.
- Chain
- A run of squares linked by third sides, which tends to be handed over all at once.
FAQ
What if I tap the wrong line?
A single tap draws the line. Against the computer, use Takeback in the menu; against people, your opponent can accept a take-back.
What happens after I claim a square?
The same player draws another line straight away.
What if we finish level?
The game is a draw.
Play now with these rules
Last updated 2026-09-21 · Run by Qdan, Inc.