Play Snakes and Ladders online for free, right in your browser. Roll the die, watch your token hop along the numbered squares, climb the ladders and try not to land on a snake. Up to four players can join, and each seat can be a person or the computer, so you can play alone, with a friend or with the whole family on one phone or tablet. A new board layout is picked at random every game.
How to play
- Pick 2 to 4 players and tap each player to make it a person or the computer.
- On your turn, tap the die and your token walks forward that many squares.
- Land at the foot of a ladder to climb up it; land on a snake’s head and slide down to its tail.
- With “Exact roll to finish” on, you need the exact number to land on 100; otherwise any roll that reaches it wins.
- Turn on “Extra roll on 6” to roll again whenever you throw a six.
Controls
- Tap or click the die to roll on your turn. Your token walks forward square by square, then climbs a ladder or slides down a snake if it lands on one.
- Choose 2, 3 or 4 players above the board. Tap a player chip below the die to switch that seat between a person and the computer.
- Use the check boxes to turn the “Exact roll to finish” and “Extra roll on 6” rules on or off.
- Press New game at any time to start again on a fresh board.
Tips and strategy
- Snakes and Ladders is a game of pure luck, so there is no wrong move. Relax and enjoy the surprises.
- With “Exact roll to finish” on, the last few squares can take a while. Turn it off for a shorter game with younger children.
- Turn on “Extra roll on 6” for a faster, more exciting race where a six means a bonus turn.
- Playing with little ones? Count the squares out loud together as the token moves. It is a gentle way to practice numbers up to 100.
- Watch the event line under the die: it tells you every roll, ladder and snake, so nobody misses what happened.
Game modes and difficulty
Pick 2, 3 or 4 players. Each player can be a person or the computer, which rolls on its own after a short pause. Play one person against the computer, pass the device between friends, or mix both. Two optional rules change the pace: an exact roll to land on 100, and an extra roll after a six. When you play alone against the computer, your fewest rolls to win is saved as your best.
History and background
Snakes and Ladders comes from ancient India, where a game often called Moksha Patam or Gyan Chaupar was used to teach about good and bad deeds. Ladders stood for virtues that lift you up, and snakes for vices that pull you down, on the way to the final square.
The game reached England in the late 19th century and spread around the world with simpler, playful boards. Today it is one of the first board games many children learn, because it needs no reading and no strategy, only counting and a bit of luck.
Frequently asked questions
Is Snakes and Ladders free to play?
Yes. It runs in your browser on computers, tablets and phones, with no download and no account.
Can I play against the computer?
Yes. Any of the 2 to 4 seats can be the computer. It rolls automatically, so you can play alone or fill empty seats in a family game.
Do I need an exact roll to win?
By default, yes: you must land exactly on square 100. You can switch this rule off, and then any roll that reaches 100 wins.
Is there any skill involved?
No, every move is decided by the die. That makes it fair for all ages, and a great first board game for young children.