Reviewed 2026-09-08
Gomoku Boards: Sizes, Setup, and Go-Board Compatibility
Gomoku is played by placing black and white stones on intersections, not inside squares. A board can be a dedicated five-in-a-row board, a Go board, a printed grid, or graph paper. The important part is agreeing on the board size and rules before the first move.
Why 15x15 Is Common
Formal Renju uses a 15x15 board. It is therefore a useful default when a guide, club, or event refers to a standard competitive board. Casual Gomoku is less uniform: many apps and teaching games use 9x9 or 13x13 boards, and house rules can use other sizes.
This site supports 9x9, 13x13, and 15x15 boards. Its browser game uses an exact-five rule: a line of exactly five wins, while a longer line does not. That is a site rule, not a claim about every Gomoku variant.
Board Sizes Compared
9x9
81 intersections. A compact option for learning placement, immediate threats, and blocking. The edge becomes relevant quickly, so patterns feel different from a 15x15 game.
13x13
169 intersections. A middle ground for players who want more room than 9x9 without committing to a full 15x15 board.
15x15
225 intersections. The board size used by formal Renju. It also works well for casual five-in-a-row when both players agree on the win and overline rules.
How a Gomoku Board Works
- Use intersections. Each stone sits where one horizontal and one vertical line meet.
- Pick a rule set first. Decide whether five or more counts, whether overlines are allowed, and whether any Renju restrictions apply.
- Use a visual reference point if helpful. Center star points are convenient for orientation, but they do not make a move compulsory in casual games.
- Keep the board symmetric. Both players should be able to identify the same rows, columns, and diagonals without ambiguity.
Can You Use a Go Board?
Yes. Both games place stones on intersections, so a Go board and two colors of stones are usable equipment. A 19x19 Go board is larger than the 15x15 board used in formal Renju, but players can agree to use a centered 15x15 area or play a house-rule game on the full grid.
The equipment is compatible; the games are not the same. Go is a territory game, while Gomoku and Renju are connection games with their own rule sets.
Simple Setup for a Casual Game
- Choose a board size and state the win rule.
- Give one player black stones and the other white stones.
- For a casual game, decide who moves first. Formal Renju has a specific opening procedure; use the current RIF rules for an event.
- Take turns placing one stone on an empty intersection.
- Stop when a player meets the agreed win condition.
Making a Low-Cost Board
Draw evenly spaced lines on paper, print a grid, or use graph paper. Coins, buttons, beads, or two marker colors can stand in for stones. A homemade board is enough to learn the game, provided both players can clearly see every intersection.
Printable boards are available here in 9x9, 13x13, and 15x15 sizes. For the site's rules and exact-five boundary, see the rules guide.
Ready to Play?
Choose a board size and start a free browser game against the local AI or a friend.
Play Gomoku Online →Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Gomoku board?
15x15 is the formal Renju board size. Casual Gomoku also appears on 9x9 and 13x13 boards, so check the rules of the game or app you are using.
Can I play on a Go board?
Yes. Both games use stones on intersections. On a 19x19 Go board, agree whether you will use the whole board or a centered 15x15 area.
Do stones go in squares or on lines?
They go on the intersections where grid lines cross. A 15x15 grid has 225 playable intersections.
What is a good beginner board size?
Many beginners find 9x9 easier to scan. Moving to 13x13 or 15x15 later adds more space and more long-range interactions.