Four in a Row online free: the classic connect four game

Four in a Row is the classic connect four board game (like Connect 4) that you can play free in your browser, on your phone or on your computer, with nothing to download. Take on the computer across five levels, from very easy to almost unbeatable, or challenge a friend in two-player mode on the same device.

How to play

• The board has 7 columns and 6 rows. Players take turns dropping a disc into a column, and it falls to the lowest free space.
• The first to line up four discs in a row of their color wins: horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
• If the board fills up and nobody manages it, the game ends in a draw.
• Tap or click a column to drop your disc. On a computer you can also use the arrow keys and Enter, or the keys 1 to 7.

Play against the computer: 5 levels

• Rookie plays almost at random, which makes it perfect for learning. Apprentice and Sharp spot the obvious moves and think a little.
• Expert and Master calculate many moves ahead. Beating the Master is a real challenge.
• Every game you get one free hint (it shows you the best column) and one free undo.

Tips to win at Four in a Row

• Play through the middle: the center column is part of more lines of four than any other.
• Set up a double threat: two spaces that would each win you the game. Your opponent can only block one.
• Before you drop a disc, check which space you open up above it: it might be exactly the one your opponent needs.
• If you go first, threats on the odd rows (1st, 3rd and 5th from the bottom) are worth gold in the endgame.

Discs with personality

The discs have little faces: they cheer when they win and look sad when they lose. Beat the different levels to unlock new discs: kittens, monsters, sweets and stars. Your stats, your winning streak and the game in progress are saved automatically on your device.