What do the numbers mean in Minesweeper?
Each number shows exactly how many mines are hidden in the eight cells surrounding it, including diagonals. A 1 means one adjacent mine. A 3 means three adjacent mines. Numbers never lie. If a 1 has only one unrevealed neighbor, that neighbor is definitely a mine. If a 2 has only two unrevealed neighbors, both are mines. Cross-referencing adjacent numbers is the core of Minesweeper deduction. The 1-2 and 1-2-1 patterns along walls are among the most useful formations to recognize because they let you deduce mine positions without guessing.
Related
More questions?
Browse all FAQ topics or visit the Help Center for in-depth guides.
Back to FAQ → | Help Center →