Game guide · MAUFITZ
A practical guide to Tower of Hanoi
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. Choose three to eight discs. All discs begin on the left tower. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
One puzzle with adjustable disc count from three to eight. Disc counts are settings, not separate game entries. Undo is available; refreshing restarts.
Try a more deliberate round
An empty tower accepts any disc; an occupied tower accepts only a smaller disc than its top disc. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
What counts as success
Check the rule below as you play. Move the complete stack of discs from the left tower to the right tower without placing a larger disc on a smaller one. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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.
Your inputs
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection.
A closer look at one example
Read the position before choosing your next action. Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves.
Notice this detail
Check the rule below as you play. Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. The game area remains available above the explanation.
More answers before you play
On this page, 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.
For this game, how do the controls work?
Tap the source tower and then its destination. Tap the selected tower again to cancel the selection. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, can you show an example?
Three discs can be transferred in seven legal moves. Four discs need at least fifteen moves. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
Only the top disc can leave a tower. Moving a large disc onto a small disc is rejected. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
During a round, 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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, can I move several discs together?
No. One top disc moves at a time. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, what does Undo do?
It restores the immediately previous puzzle state and move count. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, can I use the middle tower?
Yes. It is a temporary holding tower needed to move the stack legally. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
