Red moves first. Drop a disc into any column — get four of your discs in a row (across, down, or diagonally) before your opponent does. Play the computer at three levels, or set Mode to 2 players and take turns with a friend on this screen. New to the game? Switch on Tutorial and the board marks wins, must-blocks, and the strongest move for whoever is up.
The original: Connect Four by Milton Bradley (1974), now a Hasbro game. Ours is an independent version, not affiliated with Hasbro.
Connect 4 is the fast, two-player “four in a row” game played in a standing seven-by-six grid. Players take turns dropping discs down the columns; the first to line up four of their color — in any direction — wins. This free browser version lets you play the computer at three difficulty levels or share one screen with a friend in 2-player mode, with an optional tutorial and no downloads or signup.
Played perfectly, the first player can always force a win by starting in the center column — which is exactly why the center is so valuable.
How do I play Connect 4? Take turns dropping discs into the columns. Each disc falls to the lowest open slot. Be the first to line up four of your color in a row — across, up, or diagonally.
What's the best first move in Connect 4? The center column. It belongs to the most possible four-in-a-rows, and with perfect play a center start is a forced win for the first player.
Is there a tutorial? Yes — switch on Tutorial mode under the board. Each turn it rings columns where you can win, marks spots you must block, and stars the strongest move.
Is Connect 4 free? Yes — no signup, no downloads, no installs.
Does my record save? Yes — your results against the computer are stored locally in your browser.
Can two people play Connect 4 on one screen? Yes — switch Mode in the top bar to 2 players. Red and yellow take turns tapping columns on the same device.