How Many Cards Can You Move in FreeCell?
In standard FreeCell, moving a sequence is a shortcut for moving its cards one at a time through available free cells and empty columns. The more temporary spaces you have, the longer the sequence you can transport.
The basic rule
With no empty tableau columns, the maximum movable sequence is:
empty free cells + 1
| Empty free cells | Maximum cards |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 5 |
Adding empty columns
Each usable empty tableau column doubles your capacity. The common formula is:
(empty free cells + 1) × 2 to the power of usable empty columns
| Empty cells | Usable empty columns | Maximum cards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | 1 | 10 |
What is a usable empty column?
If the destination itself is an empty column, it cannot also be used as temporary storage during that move. Do not count that destination column in the multiplier. Other empty columns can be counted.
Example
Suppose two free cells are empty and one additional tableau column is empty. You can move up to six properly ordered cards onto another card: (2 + 1) × 2 = 6.
If you are moving the sequence into the only empty column, that column is the destination and does not double capacity. You can move only three cards: 2 + 1 = 3.
The sequence must still be valid
Space alone is not enough. In standard FreeCell, the cards being moved must already form a descending, alternating-color sequence, and the first card must have a legal destination.
Why will the game not let me move my cards?
Check these four causes:
- The sequence does not alternate colors.
- One of the ranks is not exactly one lower than the card above it.
- Too many free cells are occupied.
- You counted the destination empty column as temporary space.
Try the calculation while playing Classic FreeCell, or use Relaxed FreeCell if you want to practice sequencing without the movement limit.
Why does the formula work?
With one empty free cell, you can store the top card of a sequence, move the card beneath it, and then restore the stored card. Each additional cell provides one more temporary location, so without an empty column the capacity is “empty cells plus one.”
An empty column can hold a temporary sub-sequence. You can use the same cells to move one group into that column, process the next group, and then rebuild the full sequence. Each usable empty column therefore doubles the theoretical capacity. This automatic series of single-card moves is often called a supermove.
Special calculation when the destination is empty
Suppose three free cells and one empty column are available. If the sequence moves onto another card, the empty column can be used for temporary storage, allowing up to eight cards: (3 + 1) × 2 = 8. If the sequence is moving into that empty column, it cannot also be temporary storage, so the limit is only four cards: 3 + 1 = 4.
This is the most common source of confusion. An empty column only doubles capacity when it remains available during the transfer.
Example with two empty columns
With two empty cells and two usable empty columns, the theoretical capacity is twelve cards. The game can divide the long sequence into smaller parts: use the cells to move three cards into one column, move another group into the second column, process the remaining cards, and then rebuild the groups in reverse order.
You do not need to perform every intermediate move yourself, but understanding the process explains why occupying a single cell can immediately reduce the maximum sequence length.
How to preserve movement capacity
- Release a free cell as soon as its card has a useful tableau destination.
- Do not fill the only empty column with an isolated low card.
- Calculate both current and next-turn capacity before building a long sequence.
- Avoid filling the remaining cells while you are trying to clear a column.
- Recalculate after foundation moves change the available cards.
Capacity changes after every move. A six-card transfer that worked a moment ago may fall to four cards after one cell becomes occupied.
Capacity in FreeCell variants
FreeCell 2 Cells provides less room for supermoves, while FreeCell 6 Cells is more forgiving. Relaxed FreeCell removes the standard capacity restriction, allowing any correctly ordered sequence to move together.
Some variants also change the tableau-building rule. Baker's Game builds down by suit, so an alternating-color sequence is not valid there even when enough temporary space is available.
Multiple-card movement FAQ
Does a card already in a free cell count as part of the sequence?
No. A movable sequence must occupy one tableau column. Empty cells only provide transfer capacity.
Do empty foundation spaces increase capacity?
No. Only empty free cells and usable empty tableau columns are included.
Why could I move the same number of cards a moment ago?
A cell or column has probably become occupied, or the new destination is itself an empty column. Count the available temporary spaces again to find the difference.