How to Play FreeCell
FreeCell is a one-player card game (a type of solitaire, or patience) played with one standard 52-card deck. Unlike most solitaire games, every card is dealt face up, so there is no hidden information and almost every deal can be won by planning. It became famous as the solitaire game included with Microsoft Windows, whose numbered deals are still the standard today.
The layout
- Tableau: all 52 cards are dealt face up into eight columns: the first four columns get 7 cards, the other four get 6.
- Free cells: four spaces in the top left. Each can hold one card.
- Foundations: four spaces in the top right, one per suit. They start empty.
The goal
Move all 52 cards to the foundations, building each suit up from Ace to King.
Moving cards
You may move the bottom (fully visible) card of any column, or a card in a free cell:
- To a foundation: the next card of that suit (first the Ace, then the 2, and so on).
- To another column: onto a card that is one rank higher and the opposite colour. For example, a red 8 on a black 9.
- To an empty free cell: any single card.
- To an empty column: any card.
Moving sequences ("super moves")
The rules allow moving only one card at a time, but you can move an ordered sequence (alternating colours, descending) all at once if you could do it card by card using the free space you have. The number of cards you can move is:
(empty free cells + 1) × 2empty columns
| Empty free cells | Empty columns | Cards you can move |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 |
When you move a sequence into an empty column, that column doesn't count in the formula.
On kawu, click the top card of the sequence you want to move. If there isn't enough space, the status bar tells you how many cards can move.
Automatic moves
kawu moves cards to the foundations automatically when it's safe: Aces and 2s always, and other cards once both foundations of the opposite colour are high enough that the card can't be needed in the tableau. Click any card that can go to its foundation to send it there yourself, or double-click a card to move it to the best place.
Numbered deals
Every deal has a number from 1 to 32,000, generated by the same public shuffling method as the original Microsoft version. The same number always gives the same cards, so players compare results on famous deals:
- Game 1 is a good first game.
- Game 11982 is the one famous deal that can't be won. kawu's solver checks it by exploring every possible position.
Use Settings → Play deal number to play a specific deal, or try the daily deal, which is the same for everyone today.
Undo, hints and scoring
Undo is unlimited. The hint button asks a solver for the next move of a winning line (or a sensible move if none is found quickly). kawu records your time and moves for each deal, and keeps your best time, fewest moves and win rate.
Related variants
- Baker's Game: FreeCell's ancestor; you build down in the same suit instead of alternating colours.
- Eight Off: eight free cells and building down in suit.
- Seahaven Towers: ten columns, four cells, building down in suit, and only Kings in empty columns.
Frequently asked questions
Can every FreeCell game be won?
Almost. Of the 32,000 numbered deals in the classic Microsoft version, only game 11982 is impossible. Nearly all other deals can be won with careful play.
How many cards can I move at once in FreeCell?
Officially one, but a sequence can be moved if there's enough free space to do it one card at a time: (empty free cells + 1) × 2 to the power of the number of empty columns. If you're moving into an empty column, that column doesn't count.
What can go in an empty column?
Any card, or any properly ordered sequence that the free space allows you to move.
What are the game numbers?
Each deal comes from a public shuffling algorithm and a number from 1 to 32,000, so the same number always gives the same deal. kawu uses the same algorithm, so you can play any classic deal by its number.
Last updated 2026-10-17