Connect Four Online
Play free - no signup, no download. Pass and play, vs AI, or invite a friend.
Keys: 1-7 drop piece - R reset - click column to play
Why play here?
Loads fast
Under 1.5 seconds to first playable state.
Mobile-first
Tap any column to drop. Works great on phones.
Real AI
Minimax with alpha-beta pruning. Hard actually challenges adults.
Drop physics
Pieces fall and bounce. Winning line animates. It feels right.
Want to actually win?
Connect Four is a solved game - with perfect play, the first player always wins by starting in the centre column. But most games between humans are decided by tactical mistakes, not opening theory.
Our strategy guide covers the six key concepts: centre control, threat creation, fork positions, odd vs even row threats, Zugzwang, and counter-play when you are losing. Each section has an interactive board so you can practise the concepts directly.
Best opening move
Column 4 (centre) touches 13 winning lines
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Connect Four free to play online?
Yes, completely free. No signup, no account, no download required. Open the page and start playing immediately. No ads cover the board.
Can I play on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The game is designed mobile-first. Tap any column header to drop your piece. The board scales to fit your screen, including portrait mode on 375px-wide phones.
How do I play with a friend online?
Visit the Play with Friends page. Click Create Game, copy the invite link, and send it to your friend via message, Discord, or wherever. They open the link, the game connects peer-to-peer, and you play. No account on either side.
What difficulty levels does the AI have?
Four levels. Easy thinks 2 moves ahead and sometimes misses threats - good for young children. Medium thinks 5 moves ahead and blocks obvious threats. Hard thinks 8 moves ahead with a strong positional evaluation and will beat most casual adults consistently. Impossible runs minimax to depth 12 and will not lose from a winning position.
What are the rules of Connect Four?
Players take turns dropping coloured pieces into a 7-column, 6-row grid. Pieces fall to the lowest empty slot in each column. The first player to get four of their pieces in a row - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally - wins. If the board fills with no winner, the game is a draw.
Is Connect Four a solved game?
Yes. Victor Allis proved in 1988 that with perfect play, the first player always wins by opening in the centre column. The solution was independently verified by James Allen the same year. Our Impossible AI implements this via deep minimax search.