Game guide · TYMJWATER
Read before your next round of Tower of Hanoi
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Practice beyond the first move
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What counts as success
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
How to proceed
- 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 interact with the game
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. The game area remains available above the explanation.
An example to follow
Take a moment to check the current turn. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Keep this in mind
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
Clarifying the way this game works
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. 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 instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, can you show an example?
Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
Which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The game is played locally in your browser.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. Use the labelled controls for your next action.