Tetris Controls

Default keyboard controls

The default desktop controls are built for common browser puzzle habits. Move left with Arrow Left or A, move right with Arrow Right or D, soft drop with Arrow Down or S, hard drop with Space, rotate clockwise with Arrow Up or X, rotate counter-clockwise with Z, rotate 180 with C, hold with Shift, pause with P or Esc, restart with R, start a new game with N, open full screen with F, and open settings with M.

A good control setup reduces hesitation. If a key makes you reach too far, change your habit before you chase a record. Sprint players usually benefit from confident hard drops, quick rotate keys, and a hold key that does not conflict with movement. Marathon players may prefer comfort because a long run can last many minutes.

Mobile touch controls

Mobile play is not just a smaller desktop board. It needs a touch layer that avoids accidental scroll, accidental hard drops, and cramped buttons. Swipe mode is fastest for movement. Virtual buttons are best for precise play. Hybrid mode combines swipe movement with explicit buttons for hard drop, hold, and rotation.

Sensitivity controls how far your finger must move before the game treats the gesture as a command. Lower sensitivity feels faster but may cause extra moves. Higher sensitivity feels safer but can be too slow for Sprint. Large buttons help on small screens, and left-handed layout moves the button order for players who prefer the opposite thumb.

DAS, ARR, and soft drop speed

DAS controls how long a held direction waits before repeating. ARR controls how quickly repeated movement continues after that delay. Faster values can feel powerful, but only if you can stop accurately. Soft drop speed determines how quickly a held soft drop moves the piece downward. Beginners should start balanced, then tighten settings after placements feel predictable.

Accessibility settings

The game includes high contrast, reduced motion, large UI, dyslexia-friendly font preference, visible focus states, and an aria-live status summary outside the canvas. Sound is optional and off by default. The game should remain playable through keyboard and visible state, not through audio cues alone.