Stack falling blocks to clear lines.
Tetris is arguably the most iconic puzzle game ever created, first developed in 1984 by Soviet computer scientist Alexey Pajitnov while working at the Dorodnicyn Computing Centre of the Academy of Science of the USSR in Moscow. The name "Tetris" combines "tetra" (Greek for four — as each block is made of four squares) and "tennis," Pajitnov's favourite sport.
Seven differently shaped pieces called tetrominoes fall from the top of the well. Your job is to arrange them into complete horizontal lines with no gaps. Completed lines disappear and you score points. As your score rises, pieces fall faster, demanding faster decisions. Let the stack reach the top and the game is over.
Tetris has sold over 520 million copies across every platform from the original Game Boy to modern smartphones. It's consistently ranked among the greatest video games ever made. Our HTML5 version runs at 60fps directly in your browser — no download required.
Clearing 4 lines at once is 8 times more efficient than 4 single clears. Build your strategy around Tetrises.
Tetris isn't just a game — it's been the subject of scientific research. Studies show that playing Tetris can reduce the vividness of traumatic flashbacks, improve spatial reasoning skills, and even make your brain more efficient at pattern recognition. The "Tetris Effect" — where you see falling blocks when you close your eyes after extended play — is a documented psychological phenomenon. The game has been played in space (Russian cosmonauts had it on the Mir station), used as a therapy tool, and studied by neuroscientists worldwide. Want to dramatically improve your score? Read our complete Tetris strategy guide.