How to Play Tic Tac Toe: Rules, Examples & Winning Lines

Tic Tac Toe (also called noughts and crosses or X and O) is a simple two-player strategy game. It's quick to learn, but the best players think a move or two ahead. Here's how to get started.

The basic rules

1. Draw a 3×3 grid of nine empty squares.
2. One player uses X and the other uses O.
3. Players take turns placing their mark in one empty square at a time.
4. Get three of your marks in a straight line — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally — to win.
5. If all nine squares fill up without a winning line, the match is a draw.

What counts as a winning line?

In a classic 3×3 board, there are eight possible lines: three rows, three columns, and two diagonals. All three squares in one of those lines must belong to the same player to score a win.

For example, X can win by taking the top-left, center, and bottom-right squares. O can win by occupying every square across the middle row. A line only counts when it contains three matching symbols with no gaps.

Who goes first?

Traditionally, X plays first. You can choose a friendly way to decide who takes X and who takes O before starting. In many digital versions of Tic Tac Toe, game settings let players select their preferred mark.

Why do so many games end in draws?

Classic Tic Tac Toe has a small board and no hidden information. When both players make the best moves, neither can force a win and the match ends in a draw. That does not mean the game is pointless: spotting a mistake, blocking a threat, and creating two threats at once are its most interesting decisions.

Playing Tic Tac Toe on Android

Tic Tac Toe Pro offers local two-player matches, a computer opponent with adjustable difficulty, and larger 4×4 and 5×5 boards. The Android app also includes daily challenges and campaign stages. The simple interactive board on our homepage is a browser preview of the classic 3×3 game.

Try your first game

Start in the center or a corner, watch for two matching marks in a line, and block your opponent when they are one move away from winning. Once you understand the rules, continue with our strategy guide to learn how to defend and attack effectively.