Game guide · DTJSMODEL
Tower of Hanoi: from controls to your first round
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. 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.
Bring this focus to a round
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What the game asks you to do
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
How a round unfolds
- 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 your actions work
Take a moment to check the current turn. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Check this before moving on
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Read these answers for extra help
When I start, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, how do the controls work?
Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, 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. A new round resets the current game.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, 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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. The controls work with mouse or touch.