How Many Cards Can You Move at Once in FreeCell?
In FreeCell you can move a whole ordered run in one go, but only as many cards as your free space allows. The limit follows a simple formula, and knowing it explains most of the strategy of the game.
The formula
The longest run you can move is (free cells + 1) x 2empty columns, where free cells means the empty free cells, and empty columns does not count the column you are moving to.
| Empty free cells | Empty columns | Longest run |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | 1 | 10 |
What this means for strategy
Every full free cell shrinks your power, and every empty column doubles it. That is why a column is worth far more than a cell, and why you should keep the free cells empty unless parking a card unlocks something better. When the destination itself is an empty column, that column does not count toward the doubling.
Read the FreeCell strategy guide for the habits that follow from this, or play FreeCell and watch how the limit changes.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards can I move in FreeCell with all cells empty?
Five, as long as there are no empty columns. Each empty column then doubles that number.
Why does moving to an empty column count differently?
Because that column cannot also be used as a spare space during the move, so it is not part of the doubling.
Do I have to move the cards one at a time myself?
No. Drag the run and the game moves it for you, as long as it is within the limit.