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Minesweeper

Classic logic game — flag mines, clear the board without exploding

5-30 min👥 1Variable📱 Mobile-friendly🌐 Plays in browser
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Our Verdict

The most intellectually rigorous of the classic browser puzzle formats — on Beginner it is approachable in minutes, but Expert (30x16, 99 mines) tests spatial deduction at a level few casual puzzles match. Worth playing if you have only ever clicked randomly; the logic system rewards study.

What We Like

  • Pure deductive logic — expert-level play requires no guessing on most board configurations
  • Speed-running culture with global leaderboards on minesweeper.online creates a competitive layer
  • Chord-click mechanic rewards players who learn proper flagging discipline
  • Three standard difficulty sizes (Beginner/Intermediate/Expert) each have a distinct character
  • Custom grid sizes available for unlimited variation

Watch Out For

  • First click is always safe on modern implementations, but some late-game positions genuinely require a 50/50 guess
  • Explosion on a wrong click with no undo creates harsh frustration spikes
  • Visual presentation is purely functional — no audio or animation polish on most browser versions

How to Play Minesweeper

  1. 1Left-click any cell to reveal it — your first click is always safe and typically opens a large empty area.
  2. 2Read the numbers: a '3' means exactly three of the eight surrounding cells contain mines.
  3. 3Right-click cells you have confirmed as mines to place a flag — flags prevent accidental clicks and track your mine count.
  4. 4Look for cells where the mine count exactly equals the number of unrevealed adjacent cells — all of those cells are mines.
  5. 5Look for cells where the mine count equals the number of flags already placed — all remaining unrevealed adjacent cells are safe to reveal.
  6. 6Use chord-click (middle mouse button, or left-click on a numbered cell that has exactly the right number of flags) to mass-reveal all non-flagged adjacent cells at once.

Controls

mouse
Left-click to reveal a cell; right-click to place or remove a flag; middle-click or left-click a numbered cell to chord-reveal adjacent cells
touch
Tap to reveal; long-press to flag on mobile implementations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minesweeper a game of luck or skill?

Primarily skill. Most board positions can be fully solved by pure deduction. However, some configurations — particularly late in a game — produce genuine 50/50 guesses where no logical information distinguishes two cells. Expert players minimize guessing by working efficiently through the deducible sections first.

What is chord-clicking in Minesweeper?

Chord-clicking is clicking on a numbered cell that already has exactly that number of adjacent flags placed. It instantly reveals all remaining adjacent unrevealed non-flagged cells. It is the key technique for playing at speed — experts use it constantly rather than clicking cells one at a time.

What is a good completion time for Minesweeper Expert?

Beginner players typically take several minutes. Intermediate players complete Expert in 2-5 minutes. Top competitive players hold world records below 40 seconds on the 30x16 Expert board. Sub-90 seconds is considered a solid achievement for dedicated casual players.

Game Details

Developer
Microsoft / minesweeper.online
Released
1990
Players
1
Session
quick
Difficulty
Variable
Mobile
Yes
Embeddable
Yes