Shut the Box

How to play

Roll the dice and fold down numbered tiles that add up to your total. Close every tile to shut the box and win.

• Start with a row of open tiles — 1–9 on the classic board, up to 1–12 on the long board.
• Each turn, roll the dice, then tap any open tiles that add up exactly to your roll.
• Rolled an 8? Shut the 8, or 5 + 3, or 6 + 2, or 1 + 3 + 4 — any combo that totals eight.
• Press Shut to fold them down, then roll again.
• When the open tiles sum to 6 or less, you may roll a single die instead of two — perfect for the last small tiles.
• The round ends the moment you roll a total no open tiles can make.

Scoring

Your score is the sum of the tiles left open — lower is better. Shut every tile to score zero, a perfect game.

Your best score is saved per board size in your browser. Pick Nine, Ten, or Twelve tiles at the start — longer boards are harder to shut.

Tips

• Clear the big numbers first. High tiles (9, 8, 7) are hardest to reach late, so knock them down early.
• Keep your options wide. When a roll can be made several ways, choose the split that leaves the most useful tiles open.
• Use the single-die rule. Once your tiles sum to 6 or less, switch to one die to avoid an unreachable high roll.
• Watch the parity. If only odd tiles remain, even rolls can be impossible to split — plan a move ahead.

FAQ

How do you win at Shut the Box?

Roll the dice and fold down open tiles that add up to your total. Close every tile to shut the box and score a perfect zero.

How is Shut the Box scored?

Your score is the sum of the tiles left open, so lower is better. Shutting every tile scores zero — the best possible result.

What board sizes can I play?

Nine, ten, or twelve tiles. Longer boards are harder to shut, and your best score is saved per board size.

When can I roll a single die?

Once your open tiles sum to 6 or less, you may roll one die instead of two — handy for closing the last small tiles.