Rules
Playback
Drawing
Drag to paint cells
Patterns
Pick a pattern, then tap the grid to place it
Grid
Colors
Stats
Population: 0
Density: 0%
What this is
A cellular automaton is a grid of cells that all obey one small rule at the same moment. Every cell counts the neighbours around it and then lives, dies or changes state, and the whole grid steps forward one generation. Conway's Game of Life is the famous case: three plain conditions that grow gliders, guns and shapes nobody drew.
How to use it
- Pick a rule, then place a pattern on the grid or paint cells by hand.
- Press Play and watch the generations; the speed slider sets how many run each second.
- Pinch or scroll to zoom, two fingers or space-drag to pan, then save a PNG or copy the cells as RLE.
Read the guide
Words: cellular automaton · seed · PNG
Common questions
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Drag with one finger to draw. Put a second finger down to pinch and move the grid; the cell your first finger just painted is taken back. Phones open with a grid of 100 cells a side and stop at 250.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The grid lives on your device and never leaves it.