John Conway’s Game of Life

John Conway’s Game of Life runs Conway’s cellular automaton in a browser, with pattern examples and a reference lexicon.

playgameoflife.com
John Conway’s Game of Life homepage screenshot

About John Conway’s Game of Life

This website offers a browser-based implementation of John Conway’s Game of Life, a cellular automaton invented by Cambridge mathematician John Conway in 1970. Users can run the simulation, load example patterns, and reference the included Life Lexicon with no installation required. The site also links to related educational videos and articles about the Game of Life and its creator.

Key features

  • Runs Conway's cellular automaton directly in web browsers
  • Includes preloaded example cellular automaton patterns
  • Provides a searchable Life Lexicon reference
  • Outlines core Game of Life simulation rules
  • Links to related Game of Life videos and articles
Best for: Casual users, math enthusiasts, and students exploring cellular automata and mathematical simulations.
Good for
  • No installation required, runs in standard web browsers
  • Includes a freely licensed Life Lexicon for pattern reference
  • Provides curated links to educational Game of Life content

John Conway’s Game of Life at a glance

Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Web
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026

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John Conway’s Game of Life FAQ

What is John Conway’s Game of Life?
It is a cellular automaton invented by Cambridge mathematician John Conway in 1970, where cells change state based on a set of mathematical rules and initial conditions.
What are the core rules of the Game of Life?
Populated cells die with 0-1 or 4+ neighbors, survive with 2-3 neighbors; empty cells become populated when they have exactly 3 neighbors.
Can the Life Lexicon be freely used?
Yes, it is compiled by Stephen A. Silver and may be copied, modified and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported licence.
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