Sweep in order
Flip unknown cards row by row instead of jumping around. A fixed path makes it much easier to recall where a card was.
Free Online Matching Game
Flip the cards and find every pair!
0 / 60 stars
Level1Moves0Time0:00
Use the arrow keys to move between cards. Press Enter or Space to flip a card.
MatchingPairs is a free matching game you can play online, right in your browser. Turn over two cards at a time and find the pairs among 12 original animal cards across 20 levels. No download or sign-up needed, and your progress is saved in this browser.
- 20levels, from 6 to 24 cards
- 12original animal cards
- 3★to earn on every board
- 0sign-ups or downloads
How to play
How to play the matching pairs game
MatchingPairs is a matching card game based on the classic game of Concentration, also known as Pairs or a memory game. Every card has a twin somewhere on the board. Your job is to find them all.
- Pick a level. Level 1 is open from the start. Each completed level unlocks the next one.
- Turn over two cards. Tap or click a card to flip it, then flip a second one.
- Match or remember. If the two animals are the same, they stay face up. If not, they turn back over after a moment, so note where each animal was.
- Clear the board. The level is complete when every pair is found. Fewer moves earn more stars.
Controls
- Touch or mouse
- Tap or click a card to turn it over.
- Keyboard
- Use the arrow keys to move between cards, and Enter or Space to flip.
- Restart
- The circular arrow starts the level again with a fresh shuffle.
- Sound
- The speaker button turns sound effects on or off. Your choice is remembered.
A move is one pair of cards turned over. The timer starts with your first card. It pauses while the game's tab is in the background or the board is scrolled out of view.
Levels and stars
20 levels, three stars each
The first boards are small, so you can learn the rhythm of the game. From level 4 the boards hold 16 to 24 cards, and from level 8 the cards stay visible for a shorter time after a miss.
Finishing a level with any number of stars unlocks the next one, so nobody gets stuck. Stars are there for the challenge:
- Three stars: Finish within about one and a half moves per pair.
- Two stars: Finish within about two and a half moves per pair (a little stricter on levels 16 to 20).
- One star: Finish the level in any number of moves.
Your best stars, best time and fewest moves are kept for each level, and you can replay any unlocked level to improve them.
| Level | Cards | 3★ in | 2★ in | Miss shown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | ≤ 4 moves | ≤ 7 moves | 0.80 s |
| 2 | 8 | ≤ 6 moves | ≤ 10 moves | 0.80 s |
| 3 | 12 | ≤ 9 moves | ≤ 15 moves | 0.80 s |
| 4 | 16 | ≤ 12 moves | ≤ 20 moves | 0.80 s |
| 5 | 20 | ≤ 15 moves | ≤ 25 moves | 0.80 s |
| 6 | 24 | ≤ 18 moves | ≤ 30 moves | 0.80 s |
| 7 | 18 | ≤ 13 moves | ≤ 22 moves | 0.80 s |
| 8 | 16 | ≤ 12 moves | ≤ 20 moves | 0.75 s |
| 9 | 20 | ≤ 15 moves | ≤ 25 moves | 0.75 s |
| 10 | 18 | ≤ 13 moves | ≤ 22 moves | 0.75 s |
| 11 | 24 | ≤ 18 moves | ≤ 30 moves | 0.75 s |
| 12 | 16 | ≤ 12 moves | ≤ 20 moves | 0.70 s |
| 13 | 20 | ≤ 15 moves | ≤ 25 moves | 0.70 s |
| 14 | 18 | ≤ 13 moves | ≤ 22 moves | 0.70 s |
| 15 | 24 | ≤ 18 moves | ≤ 30 moves | 0.70 s |
| 16 | 16 | ≤ 12 moves | ≤ 18 moves | 0.70 s |
| 17 | 18 | ≤ 13 moves | ≤ 20 moves | 0.70 s |
| 18 | 20 | ≤ 15 moves | ≤ 22 moves | 0.70 s |
| 19 | 24 | ≤ 18 moves | ≤ 27 moves | 0.75 s |
| 20 | 24 | ≤ 18 moves | ≤ 27 moves | 0.70 s |
The cards
Meet the 12 animals
This is an animal matching game: all 12 cards are original illustrations made for MatchingPairs. Each animal has its own shape and colors, so pairs are easy to tell apart, even at a glance on a small phone screen. Each game picks a random set of animals and shuffles them, so no two boards are the same.
- Lion
- Elephant
- Rabbit
- Turtle
- Cat
- Dog
- Giraffe
- Owl
- Penguin
- Crab
- Frog
- Whale
Tips
Tips for earning three stars
Name what you see
Say it in your head: "owl, top left". Linking each animal to a place sticks better than the picture alone.
Flip a new card first
Start each turn with a card you have not seen yet. If it matches one you remember, finish the pair with your second flip. If not, you have still learned a new card.
Watch every miss
A miss is not wasted: it shows you two cards. Use the short moment before they turn back to fix both positions in your mind.
Work in zones
On the 20-card and 24-card boards, clear one corner before moving on. Smaller areas are easier to hold in memory.
Replay to improve
Shuffles change every time, but the habits carry over. Replay an earlier level to turn one or two stars into three.
Why play
A calm puzzle for short breaks
A board takes from under a minute to a few minutes, which makes MatchingPairs a good fit for a coffee break, a commute or a quiet moment with a child. There are no timers counting down and no penalties for mistakes: you can always finish the level.
Matching games ask you to notice, hold and recall where things are. Many people enjoy them as light practice for focus and short-term recall, and they work well for all ages: younger players start on the small boards, while adults chase three stars on the last levels.
Made for every screen
- The board adapts to portrait and landscape, and rearranges when you rotate your device.
- Large cards and touch targets on phones.
- Full keyboard support and screen reader announcements.
- Animations are switched off if your device asks for reduced motion.
- No account: your progress stays in your browser.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is MatchingPairs free to play?
Yes. MatchingPairs is free to play in your web browser. There is nothing to download or install, and you do not need an account.
Is this the same as Concentration or Pairs?
Yes. Concentration, Pairs and matching pairs are common names for the same card game: the cards lie face down, and you turn over two at a time to find the matching pairs. MatchingPairs is the solo version, played in your browser with 20 levels and 12 animal cards.
How do the stars work?
Each level awards one to three stars based on your moves. A move is one pair of cards turned over. Finish with about one and a half moves per pair or fewer for three stars, and about two and a half moves per pair or fewer for two stars. Any finish earns at least one star.
How do I unlock the next level?
Complete the previous level with any number of stars. Level 1 is always open, and each level you finish opens the next one, up to level 20.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, in your browser on this device. Unlocked levels, best stars, best times, fewest moves and your sound setting are stored in local storage. They are not sent to us. Clearing your browser data, or playing in a private window, removes them. You can also clear them with the Reset progress button on the level screen.
Can I play on my phone or tablet?
Yes. You can play this matching game online on phones, tablets and computers with a modern browser. The board fits portrait and landscape screens and rearranges itself if you rotate your device during a game.
Can I play with a keyboard?
Yes. Use the Tab key to reach the board, the arrow keys to move between cards, and Enter or Space to flip a card. Card names and matches are announced to screen readers.
Can I turn the sound off?
Yes. Press the speaker button at the top of the game. The game remembers your choice next time.
Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs or scroll away?
No. The timer pauses while the game is in a background tab, while the window is hidden, and while you scroll down the page so that most of the board is out of view. It continues when you come back.
Is MatchingPairs suitable for children?
MatchingPairs is made for all ages. It has friendly animal artwork, no chat, no accounts and no way to contact other players. Parents can find more details on our Information for Parents page.
Looking for more? Read information for parents, learn about MatchingPairs, or see how we handle data in our privacy policy.