How to Play Paper.io

Download Article

Author Info

Last Updated: October 5, 2024

Download Article

Paper.io is a popular, free online game, with many users playing worldwide. It's very easy and fun to play.

Steps

Download Article

1
Go to the website. Go on your browser (e.g. Google Chrome) and type, "paper.io" in the search bar and press Enter on your keyboard.
- You can also access the game via the app.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Paperio.jpg\/460px-Paperio.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0b\/Paperio.jpg\/728px-Paperio.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":294,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":466,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

To start playing Paper.io, pick a username you want to use to play.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.53.05-PM.png\/460px-Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.53.05-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.53.05-PM.png\/728px-Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.53.05-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":204,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":323,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

Choose the skin you'd like to use. You can only get custom skins by sharing the game on Facebook. If you do not, then you will have the default solid color skin.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.55.47-PM.png\/460px-Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.55.47-PM.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.55.47-PM.png\/728px-Screenshot-2018-11-09-at-1.55.47-PM.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":195,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":309,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4
Choose the game mode you want. There are many options. These include:
- Classic game
- Fast speed -- jet engines
- Slow speed -- turtles are fun too
- Inverted controls -- capable hands
- Small map -- you can capture a large percent
- Small map + fast speed
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Paperior.jpg\/460px-Paperior.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Paperior.jpg\/722px-Paperior.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":356,"bigWidth":723,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

5
Use the arrow keys or WSAD keys to move around the map. You can move left or right, up or down.
- On a mobile device you simply just swipe in the direction you want to go.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Paperioo.jpg\/460px-Paperioo.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Paperioo.jpg\/728px-Paperioo.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":315,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":499,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This is the goal of the game. Use the arrow keys to move your 'block' around, outline the area you wish to capture, then, come back to the place you started from. The area you have surrounded will become yours and will fill in with your colour.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Paperiog.jpg\/460px-Paperiog.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Paperiog.jpg\/728px-Paperiog.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":337,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":534,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Be absolutely careful, though! If an opponent runs through your tail, you will immediately die. You are safe while you are in your own color (the space you created), but the moment you move out of it to capture more area, an opponent can run through your tail and kill you.
8

Start by capturing small areas and don't take a large area unless you are absolutely sure there is no one else around and only you are in a large amount of space.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do you play Paper.io 2?

Daddy & Katie

Community Answer

It's the same thing. Controls are pretty much the same. The main difference is that Paper.io 2 has more rounded shapes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
Question

Isn't the object of the game to gain territory? I've played for months and the last week or so it seems everyone thinks the object of the game is to spawn, kill someone and die themselves. Boring!

Community Answer

You gain territory as well as kill people along the way. Maybe you’re just encountering people who are more interested in disruptive play than strategic play. Have a talk to them about the difference.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 3
Question

Why does the arrow key only go straight when I try to change direction but I am unable to do so?

Pomegranateblood

Community Answer

First try restarting your browser. If that doesn't work, restart your computer. If you've tried both one and two, then use W-A-S-D instead, or try a different keyboard.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

You can also get others out by surrounding their whole territory and turning it into yours. This works best for players who have less territory as it can be risky.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
You expand along with your longer borders. Traveling a short distance out and along your territory enables you to claim land while being able to swiftly retreat to safety. Don't miss the great game!

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
If you choose to travel a long distance, be 100% sure there is no one nearby, as they will kill you since you are vulnerable, of course, traveling a short distance out is recommended.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Play Paper.io

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories