8 Best Free Solitaire Games to Play Online (No Download)

Solitaire — “Patience” in British English — encompasses over 600 documented single-player card game variants. The Microsoft bundling of Klondike with Windows since 1990 made solitaire possibly the most-played video game in history. This list covers our 8 best free solitaire games available right now in your browser.

1. Klondike Solitaire — The Classic

The default solitaire that shipped with every Windows install from 1990 onward. Build foundations A→K by suit; build tableau down by alternating colour. About 82% of one-card-draw deals are mathematically winnable. Play Klondike.

2. FreeCell — Almost Always Winnable

Paul Alfille’s 1968 creation (commercialized in Windows 95). All cards face-up from the start; 4 free cells for parking. Only 8 known unwinnable deals exist out of the original 32,000 Microsoft deals. Pure planning. Play FreeCell.

3. Spider Solitaire — Two Decks, Same-Suit Runs

Two complete decks (104 cards). 10 tableau columns. Build same-suit runs K→A and they vanish. The 4-suit variant is one of the hardest solitaires in existence. Play Spider.

4. Pyramid Solitaire — Sum-to-13 Matching

28 cards arranged in a pyramid. Remove pairs that sum to 13 (Ace + Queen, 2 + Jack, etc.). Kings remove alone. 35-50% win rate. Play Pyramid.

5. Solitaire (Generic)

Umbrella for the whole family. Multiple variants in one game. Good for trying different solitaire styles. Play Solitaire.

6. Mahjong Solitaire — Tile Matching

The 1981 Brodie Lockard creation. 144 Mahjong tiles in 3D layered formation. Match pairs of free tiles. NOT to be confused with Chinese 4-player Mahjong — entirely different game. Play Mahjong.

7. Mahjong Connect — 2D Variant

2D version of Mahjong Solitaire. Match identical tiles connectable by a path with ≤2 turns. Modern, mobile-friendly format. Play Mahjong Connect.

8. Lights Out

Not technically solitaire but same single-player puzzle satisfaction. Toggle tiles + neighbours; turn all lights off. Play Lights Out.

Solitaire win rates: a comparison

• FreeCell: 99.999% winnable. Only 8 unwinnable Microsoft deals exist.
• Klondike (one-card draw): ~82% winnable with perfect play.
• Klondike (three-card draw): ~79% winnable with perfect play.
• Spider (1-suit): ~99% winnable with perfect play.
• Spider (2-suit): ~90% winnable.
• Spider (4-suit): ~50% winnable.
• Pyramid: ~35-50% winnable.

Why solitaire is the perfect “do nothing” game

• Single-player, no opponents. No pressure, no teammates to disappoint.
• Pure logic. No reflexes, no twitch skills.
• Scalable difficulty. Easy variants (Pyramid) to hard (4-suit Spider).
• Short or long sessions. 3 minutes to 30+ depending on variant.
• Universal accessibility. Any age can play.

FAQ

• Q: Best solitaire for beginners? A: Klondike (easy variant) or Pyramid. Both have simple rules.
• Q: Hardest solitaire? A: 4-suit Spider Solitaire. Even perfect play wins ~50%.
• Q: Always-winnable solitaire? A: FreeCell. Only 8 known unwinnable deals exist.
• Q: One-card or three-card Klondike? A: One-card is much easier (~82% winnable vs ~79% for three-card). Three-card is the Microsoft default.

For more card games, browse our card & dice category, or read our free card games roundup.