FreeCell Solitaire
Every card face up and four free cells to work with — almost every deal can be solved if you plan far enough ahead.
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How to play FreeCell Solitaire
FreeCell is the thinking player's solitaire. Nothing is hidden, so there is no luck to blame: the deal is a puzzle and almost every one of them has a solution. The four free cells are temporary parking spaces, and learning when to fill them — and when to keep them empty — is the whole skill.
Rules
- All 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns: four of seven cards and four of six.
- Four free cells sit at the top left. Each one holds exactly one card.
- Build the foundations up by suit from Ace to King.
- In the columns, build down in alternating colours.
- Any card can be moved to an empty column.
- You can move several cards at once as long as they form an alternating descending run and you have enough free cells and empty columns to do it one card at a time.
Tips to win more often
- Keep free cells empty. A filled cell is a card you cannot use and a move you cannot make.
- Plan an empty column early — it doubles the size of the runs you can shift.
- Look for the Aces and work out what is buried on top of them before you touch anything.
- Do not send mid-range cards to the foundations too early; you may need a red 7 to hold a black 6.
- If a deal defeats you, use undo and try a different order — almost every FreeCell deal is solvable.
FreeCell Solitaire at a glance
| Deck | 1 deck (52 cards) |
|---|---|
| Layout | 8 columns, 4 free cells, 4 foundations |
| Hidden cards | None — everything is face up |
| Difficulty | Medium, but skill-based |
| Winnable deals | All but a handful of deals are solvable |
Playing on a phone or Chromebook
The board resizes to whatever screen you are on. Drag a card with your finger, or simply tap it and it moves to the first place it legally fits. On a keyboard, N starts a new game, U undoes, H gives a hint.
More free solitaire games
Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire, TriPeaks Solitaire, Golf Solitaire, Yukon Solitaire — or see all twelve on the solitaire hub.
Frequently asked questions
Are all FreeCell games winnable?
Essentially yes. Of the 32,000 classic numbered deals only one is known to be impossible, and random deals are solvable at a similar rate.
What are the free cells for?
Each free cell parks one card out of the way so you can reach what is underneath. They are the only extra space you get, so use them sparingly.
How many cards can I move at once?
(Free cells + 1) × 2 for every empty column. With two free cells and one empty column you can shift six cards in one drag.
Is FreeCell harder than Klondike?
It needs more planning but less luck. Nothing is hidden, so a loss in FreeCell is almost always a mistake rather than a bad deal.
Can I play FreeCell on my phone?
Yes. The columns scale to your screen and you can drag or tap cards with a finger.
Does auto-finish count as cheating?
No — it only runs moves that are already forced. Your time and move count are recorded exactly the same way.