What this game is
The 24 Game is the classic mental math puzzle from the classroom: you are dealt four numbers and must combine all four — each used exactly once — with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to make exactly 24. Parentheses are free: any order of operations you can build is allowed.
Here every dealt hand is guaranteed solvable, so the only question is whether you can find the combination.
How to play
- Pick a difficulty — Easy deals numbers from 1–9, Hard from 1–13.
- Tap two number tiles, then an operation. The two tiles merge into one result.
- Repeat with the remaining tiles until only one number is left.
- If that number is 24, you win the round and your streak grows. Use Undo if you build yourself into a corner.
The mathematics behind it
The search space is bigger than it looks: with four numbers there are dozens of orderings and bracketings, and fractions count as intermediate values — hands like 3, 3, 8, 8 need (3 − 3/8) × 8, which mixes division into a subtraction. A full solver checks every possibility with exact fraction arithmetic, which is what the Hint button runs.
Tips for the 24 Game
- Factor first: 24 = 4 × 6, 3 × 8 or 2 × 12. Look for ways to build one of those pairs from the hand.
- Use big sums early: adding two large numbers usually creates a useful intermediate like 15 or 16.
- Remember fractions: dividing a smaller number by a bigger one is legal, and often the hidden key.
- Undo freely: exploring a few merges is normal — good players back out of dead ends fast.
Frequently asked questions
Are all puzzles solvable?
Yes. Every hand is generated and verified with exact fraction arithmetic before it is dealt, so a solution always exists — the Hint button will show you one if you are stuck.
Is my best streak saved?
Yes, in your browser's local storage on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server.
More number play?
Try Mental Math Sprint for speed, Number Sequences for patterns, or the full games list.
Related calculators
When the arithmetic gets heavy, that is what the Arithmetic Calculator is for — but in this game, keep it in your head.