Arrow keys / WASD to steer, Space or P to pause. On touch screens swipe on the board or use the pad.
free online game
Snake – The Classic Arcade Game, Free Online
The retro arcade favourite, rebuilt for today's screens. Guide the snake to the bugs, grow a little longer with every bite and see how long you can last before you run into a wall or your own tail.
How to play Snake
- 1. Start moving
Press an arrow key, swipe on the board or tap the pad. The snake keeps moving in the last direction you chose. - 2. Eat the bugs
Each bug you eat scores a point and makes the snake one segment longer. The snake also speeds up a little with every bite. - 3. Don't crash
The game ends when the snake hits its own body. In walls mode, touching the edge of the board also ends the run; in no-walls mode the snake wraps around to the other side.
Snake controls
| Action | Keyboard / mouse | Phone / tablet |
|---|---|---|
| Steer | Arrow keys or W A S D | Swipe on the board or use the direction pad |
| Pause / resume | Space or P | Centre button on the pad |
| Restart | Restart button or Space after game over | Play again button |
Tips for a high score in Snake
- Hug the edges early
While the snake is short, travel along the walls and leave the middle of the board open for later. - Move in a zig-zag pattern
When the snake gets long, sweep the board in tidy rows so your tail always leaves a clear path behind you. - Plan your turns
Inputs are buffered, so you can queue two quick turns (for example up then left) to make a tight U-turn. - Try no-walls mode
Wrapping around the edges makes it easier to reach the bug, which is a good way to practise before playing with walls.
A free snake game for mobile and desktop
This snake game runs in any modern browser with no download. On phones you can swipe directly on the board or use the large direction pad, and the game pauses itself if you scroll away or switch apps. Want another quick arcade challenge? Try Bug Flyer or the brick-smashing Brick Breaker.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as the old Nokia Snake game?
It follows the same classic rules: steer the snake, eat to grow and avoid crashing. It adds a no-walls mode, three speeds and touch controls.
Can I play Snake on my phone?
Yes. Swipe on the board or use the on-screen direction pad. The page won't scroll while you swipe on the board.
Is my high score saved?
Your best score for each mode is saved in your browser, so it is still there the next time you play on the same device.
More free games to play online
- Bug RunnerAn endless runner: jump obstacles and survive.
- Bug CatcherCatch coins and bugs, dodge the bombs.
- Bug FlyerA one-tap flying game: fly through the gaps.
- Brick BreakerSmash all the bricks with a bouncing ball.
- XO: Tic Tac ToeClassic XO against a smart AI opponent.
- Memory MatchFlip cards and find all the matching pairs.
Looking for something else? Browse all free browser games – every game runs instantly on desktop, tablet and mobile with no download or sign-up.