Game guide · XDSTMALL
Find your footing in 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. Choose three to eight discs. All discs begin on the left tower.
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
An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc.
What counts as success
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.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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.
Work through an example
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Keep this in mind
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Questions about this game
For this game, 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. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can you show an example?
Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. No download or player account is required.
Which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, 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. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current 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. No download or player account is required.
When I start, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
On this page, 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.
