How to play Tanks
- Orange starts at the bottom of the arena (the left on a wide screen) and Purple at the top (or the right).
- A new arena every round. The blocks are laid out differently each time, and the arena looks the same from both ends, so neither player gets the better half.
- Drive. Drag your finger the way you want to go: your tank turns that way and drives. Drag straight back to reverse.
- Fire. Tap to fire a shot from the end of your barrel. Shots bounce off walls and blocks for a few seconds before they fizzle out. You can have up to four shots flying at once.
- One hit is enough. A tank that's hit is out of the round, and the other player scores a point. Careful: your own shots can bounce back and hit you, and that gives your rival the point.
- If both tanks are hit at almost the same moment, nobody scores. The first player to 5 points wins the game.
Controls
| Device | Orange | Purple |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | Drag in the bottom half to drive, tap to fire | Drag in the top half to drive, tap to fire |
| Mouse (vs computer) | Click and drag to drive, click to fire | — |
| Keyboard | W forward, S back, A D to turn, Space to fire | ↑ forward, ↓ back, ← → to turn, Enter to fire |
On a touchscreen, wherever you put your finger down becomes the middle of a little joystick, drawn in your colour. While you drive with one finger, tap with another to fire without stopping. Against the computer you can use either set of keys.
Computer levels
The computer has the same tank as you. It looks around the arena, works out where a shot would go by following its bounces, turns its tank to line up, and fires. It can only shoot where its barrel points.
| Level | How the computer plays |
|---|---|
| Easy | Looks around only every half second, aims roughly and never dodges. |
| Medium | Quicker and steadier. It sometimes gets out of the way of your shots. |
| Hard | Plans shots off a wall, allows for the way you're moving and dodges most shots it sees coming. |
| Expert | Reacts in about a tenth of a second, plans shots off two walls, and steps aside straight after firing. |
Tips to win
- Keep moving. A tank that sits still is the easiest target in the arena.
- Use the blocks. Put a block between you and your rival while you line up a shot.
- Bounce your shots. A shot off a wall can reach a rival hiding behind a block. Look at the angles: a shot leaves a wall at the same angle it hits it.
- Don't fire into a wall at close range. The shot comes straight back at you.
- Count your shots. After four shots you have to wait for one to land or fizzle out before you can fire again.
About tank games
Two-player tank battles have been a favourite since the arcade machines and first home consoles of the 1970s, when two tanks chased each other round a maze. Our version keeps the simple idea, two tanks, one arena and shots that bounce, with bright toy tanks driven by Pip and Gus. Nobody gets hurt: a tank that's hit just turns grey and puffs out smoke until the next round.
Questions
Can two people play Tanks on one phone?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and hold the phone between you, or lay it flat on a table. Each player drags and taps in their own half of the screen, and both tanks move at the same time. A tablet gives you more room.
Why did my tank blow up when nobody shot me?
One of your own shots bounced back and hit you. Shots keep bouncing for a few seconds, so watch where yours are going.
How long is a game?
A round can be over in a few seconds, and a game ends when someone reaches 5 points. Most games take two to four minutes.
Is Tanks free?
Yes. It's free in your browser, with no download, no sign-up and no ads during a game.
Updated 7 November 2026