Game guide · BDPSFJS
Know the goal in Tower of Hanoi
Read the position before choosing your 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. 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
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
The goal to keep in mind
Take a moment to check the current turn. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one.
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.
Using the playing area
Check the rule below as you play. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection.
An example before you play
Read the position before choosing your next action. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves.
Where a round can go wrong
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
More answers before you play
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, 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.
On this page, 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.
On this page, 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.
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. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. The controls work with mouse or touch.
What does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. The instructions above use these same rules.