Connect Four Rules - The Official Game in 60 Seconds
Simple rules, deep strategy. Here is everything you need to know to play Connect Four correctly - including house rules and the trademark note.
The rules in 30 seconds
- 7 columns, 6 rows. 21 red pieces, 21 yellow pieces.
- Take turns dropping one piece into any column.
- Pieces fall to the lowest empty slot - gravity applies.
- First to get four in a row wins (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
- If the board fills with no winner, it is a draw.
Board setup
The standard Connect Four board has 7 columns and 6 rows, giving 42 cells in total. The board is vertical - pieces drop in from the top and fall to the lowest available row in each column. This gravity mechanic is what separates Connect Four from other grid games like tic-tac-toe, where you can place anywhere.
Each player starts with 21 pieces (red or yellow). One player is always Red, one is always Yellow. Red traditionally goes first, though this can be agreed between players. Our online version defaults to Red going first.
Taking turns
Players alternate turns. On your turn, choose any column that is not already full and drop one piece into it. The piece falls to the lowest empty row in that column. You cannot skip a turn. You cannot place a piece anywhere other than the top of a column.
A column is full when all 6 rows in it are occupied. You cannot play in a full column. If all 7 columns are full and there is no winner, the game ends in a draw.
Winning and drawing
You win by placing four of your pieces in a consecutive row. Winning lines can be:
Horizontal
Four in a row across any row.
Four red pieces in row 1, columns 2-5.
Vertical
Four in a row down any column.
Four yellow pieces stacked in column 3.
Diagonal
Four in a row diagonally (either direction).
Four red pieces from bottom-left to top-right.
The game ends immediately when a player achieves four in a row. Our online version highlights the winning line with an animation. If both players somehow complete four in a row simultaneously (this cannot happen in practice with alternating turns), the player who moved first wins.
Common house rules
Who goes first?
The official rule says the red player moves first. Common house rule: flip a coin for the first game, then alternate who goes first in subsequent games to balance the first-move advantage.
Takebacks
Official play: no takebacks. House rule for casual or learning play: one takeback per game, or unlimited takebacks by mutual agreement. Our online version includes an Undo button for casual play.
Best of N
Playing best of 3 or best of 5 is strongly recommended for casual play, as it smooths out the first-move advantage and luck variation over a single game.
Timing
Official competition play uses a chess clock (usually 10 or 20 seconds per move). Casual play uses no clock.
"Connect Four" vs "Four in a Row" - trademark note
"Connect Four" is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. The game was first published by Milton Bradley Company in 1974 and is now part of Hasbro's classic games portfolio.
The underlying game mechanic - dropping pieces into a gravity board and connecting four in a row - predates the trademark and is in the public domain. The game is known by many generic names: Four in a Row, Four Up, Plot Four, Find Four, Captain's Mistress, and Gravitrips, among others. This site provides a free "Four in a Row" web implementation and is not affiliated with Hasbro.
Rules FAQ
How many pieces are in Connect Four?
21 red and 21 yellow, 42 total. The board has 42 cells (7 columns x 6 rows). A full board with no winner is a draw.
What is the difference between Connect Four and Four in a Row?
They are the same game. 'Connect Four' is Hasbro's trademark. 'Four in a Row' is the generic term. Other names: Four Up, Plot Four, Find Four, Captain's Mistress, Gravitrips.
Can you win Connect Four diagonally?
Yes. Both diagonal directions count - bottom-left to top-right and top-left to bottom-right.
What happens if the board fills up?
If all 42 cells are filled and no player has won, the game is a draw. Draws are relatively uncommon between evenly-matched players but do occur.