Game guide · ITCGT
The essentials of playing Tower of Hanoi
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. 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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc.
Your objective
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Step by step
- 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 use the controls
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection.
See the idea in action
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Where a round can go wrong
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The game area remains available above the explanation.
More answers before you play
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
What does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.