How to Play Make 10: Rules, Scoring, and Tips for Beginners

Make 10 is a free browser number puzzle. You drop numbered tiles into a seven-column board and aim to connect exactly four tiles in a straight line that add up to 10. This guide walks through the rules, scoring, levels, and beginner tips so you can start playing confidently. Everything here is based on the game's actual code and configuration.

1. The board and the tiles

The board has 7 columns and 6 rows, giving 42 cells total. Tiles appear one at a time at the top of the board in a preview queue. You choose which column to drop each tile into. Gravity pulls it to the lowest empty cell in that column — tiles never float or stack from the top.

The number range depends on the level you are playing:

• Level 1: tiles are 1, 2, 3, and 4 — each equally likely.
• Level 2: tiles are 1 through 9 plus −1 and −2, all equally likely.
• Level 3: tiles are 1 through 9 plus −1, −2, and −3. Positive numbers appear 80% of the time; negatives appear 20% of the time.

2. How lines clear

A line clears when exactly four consecutive tiles in a straight line add up to 10. The four directions that count are:

• Horizontal: four tiles side by side in the same row.
• Vertical: four tiles stacked in the same column.
• Diagonal (down): four tiles going from upper-left to lower-right.
• Diagonal (up): four tiles going from lower-left to upper-right.

The key number is four. Two tiles summing to 10 do not clear. Three tiles summing to 10 do not clear. Five tiles summing to 10 do not clear. The count must be exactly four, and every cell in the line must be occupied.

Here are some concrete examples:

For a full list of combinations, see Four Numbers That Add Up to 10.

3. Scoring and chain reactions

Each cleared line is worth 100 points at base value. When a line clears, the tiles above the gap fall down. If the falling tiles create a new four-tile line that sums to 10, that is a chain reaction — and chains multiply your score.

The scoring formula per wave is:

• Wave 1 (direct clear): lines cleared × 100 × 1
• Wave 2 (first chain): lines cleared × 100 × 2
• Wave 3 (second chain): lines cleared × 100 × 3
• And so on — the multiplier increases by 1 for each consecutive wave.

For example, if your drop clears one line and the resulting gravity creates two more lines, you score 100×1 + 200×2 = 500 points across two waves. Chains are the highest-scoring plays in the game.

For deeper tactics on setting up chains, see Play Make 10 Strategy.

4. Stages, levels, and unlocking

Progress is measured in stages and levels:

• Clear 10 lines to complete one stage.
• Each level has 100 stages.
• There are 3 levels total.
• Complete Stage 10 in any level to unlock the next level early — you do not need to finish all 100 stages first.
• You can switch between unlocked levels at any time. Each level keeps its own board, queue, score, and stage progress independently.

Milestone messages appear at stages 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 to track your progress through a level.

5. Controls

• Mouse or touch: click or tap a column to drop the current tile into it.
• Keyboard: use the left and right arrow keys to select a column, then press Enter or Space to drop.
• The next few tiles in the queue are shown above the board, so you can plan ahead.

6. When the game ends

The game ends when every column is full — meaning the top row has a tile in every column — and no more tiles can be dropped. There is no countdown timer. You play at your own pace. For more on the untimed design, see Number Puzzle Games Without a Timer.

Your score, level, stage, and board state all save automatically in your browser via local storage. No account is needed. If you clear your browser data, saved progress is lost.

7. Five tips for beginners

1. Check the landing position before dropping. Each tile falls to the lowest empty cell. Before you drop, trace where the tile will sit and whether it completes a line of four.
2. Watch the preview queue. The next several tiles are visible. Use them to plan two or three moves ahead instead of playing one tile at a time.
3. Keep columns balanced. Filling one column to the top while others are empty limits your options. Spread tiles across columns so you can reach more horizontal and diagonal lines.
4. Learn a few four-tile sums. In Level 1, the only tiles are 1, 2, 3, and 4. The single combination that sums to 10 is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. Memorizing that helps you spot opportunities fast.
5. Do not force clears. If no clear is available, drop the tile where it sets up a future line rather than where it sits uselessly. Patience matters more than speed.

8. FAQ

Do I need to download anything or create an account?

No. Make 10 runs entirely in your browser. There is no download, no account, no sign-in, and no ads. Progress saves automatically in your browser's local storage.

Can two tiles summing to 10 clear?

No. Make 10 requires exactly four tiles in a line. Two tiles summing to 10 (like 5 + 5) do not clear. You always need four.

What do negative numbers do?

Negative numbers let you reach 10 with larger positive tiles. For example, 8 + 5 + (−1) + (−2) = 10. Negatives appear in Levels 2 and 3 but not Level 1.

Is there a time limit?

No. Make 10 has no countdown timer. You can take as long as you want on each move. The game only ends when the board is completely full.

How do I unlock the next level?

Complete Stage 10 in your current level. That unlocks the next level immediately. You can switch between unlocked levels at any time.