Color Lines Game
Match 5 or more colored balls in a line to clear them from the board in this classic color lines game. Plan ahead as new balls appear each turn!
About Color Lines
Color Lines is a classic puzzle game originally created by Olga Demina in 1992, also known as Winlinez and Color Linez. The game is played on a 9×9 board with seven colored balls. Each turn you move one ball to an empty square along an unblocked path. If you don't clear a line, three new balls appear — so every move matters. The original concept spread widely as a GNOME desktop game and became a staple of casual brain training. This implementation preserves the classic rules: BFS pathfinding, 4-directional line detection (horizontal, vertical, both diagonals), the next-three-ball preview, and the satisfying moment when a long-planned combo finally clears. If you remember Lines 98 from old Windows machines or the GNOME desktop version, this colored lines game plays by exactly the same rules — the color lines game formula has barely changed in three decades, because planning a line three moves ahead is still the whole point.
Why Play Color Lines?
Playing Color Lines demands strategic planning, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning. Because new balls spawn only when no line is cleared, every move requires looking two or three steps ahead — much like chess. The next-balls preview lets you plan the queue, and finding the best line means scanning the whole board under uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
What is Color Lines?
Color Lines is a classic puzzle game originally designed by Olga Demina in 1992, also released as Winlinez and Color Linez. You play on a 9×9 board with seven colors of balls. The goal is to form horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines of five or more balls of the same color to clear them and score points.
How do I move the balls?
Click a ball to select it — the reachable squares will be highlighted in green. Then click any highlighted empty square to move the ball there. If no green squares appear, the ball is completely blocked and you'll need to clear a path first by removing other balls.
Why won't my ball move to a square?
A ball can only move to a square if there is an unblocked path of empty cells between them. Movement is allowed in four directions (up, down, left, right) — not diagonally. If the destination is unreachable, the move is rejected. Use the green highlights to see exactly which squares each ball can reach.
What counts as a line?
A line is five or more balls of the same color arranged consecutively in one of four directions: horizontal, vertical, diagonal down-right, or diagonal down-left. Longer lines score progressively more points, so building a 7- or 8-ball line is far more rewarding than several 5-ball lines.
What are the next balls shown above the board?
The preview shows the colors of the three balls that will spawn after your next move — but only if your move doesn't clear a line. Use this preview to plan ahead: try to position balls so that the upcoming spawns complete a line, or so they don't block your strategy.
Any tips for scoring high?
Yes. First, never make a move that doesn't clear a line unless you have to — every spawn makes the board more crowded. Second, aim for long lines: an 8-ball line scores far more than two 4-ball attempts. Third, keep the center of the board flexible; balls trapped in corners are hard to relocate. Finally, watch the preview and set up the next move before you need it.
Is Color Lines free to play?
Yes. Color Lines on this page is completely free — no download, no installation and no sign-up. Open the page and start playing right in your browser.
Can I play Color Lines without downloading?
Yes. This is a browser version of the classic Color Lines game. It runs entirely in your browser on desktop, tablet and mobile, so there is nothing to download or install.
What is the difference between Color Lines and Color Lines 98?
Color Lines 98 is the well-known 1998 Windows version of the original 1992 game. The rules are the same: move balls on a 9×9 board and clear lines of five or more same-colored balls. This page lets you play the classic rules directly in your browser — no software needed.
