Tarot Spreads Guide
A spread is the pattern you lay the cards in, and each position asks a different question. Here are the spreads that matter, from a single card to the full Celtic Cross.
Single card
One card for a focused answer or your card of the day. Fast, clear, and the best place to start. Free in the app.
Three-card (Past, Present, Future)
The workhorse spread. Three cards trace the arc of a situation: how you got here, where you are, and where it is heading. Also read as Situation, Action, Outcome. Free in the app.
Five-card cross
Adds depth: the situation, your challenge, its root cause, the near future, and the likely outcome. Great for a decision you want to understand fully.
Seven-card horseshoe
Seven cards covering past, present, hidden influences, you, others, advice, and outcome, a rounded look at the forces at play.
Ten-card Celtic Cross
The deepest classic spread. Ten positions map the present, the challenge, foundations, recent past, hopes, near future, your role, environment, hopes and fears, and the final outcome. Reserve it for big questions. Every one of these is built into tarotogo, choose a spread, draw, and read it free.
✦ Draw your cards free →Common questions
What is the best tarot spread for beginners?
Start with a single card, then the three-card Past, Present, Future spread. They are easy to read and cover most questions.
What is the Celtic Cross spread?
A classic ten-card layout that examines a situation from many angles: present, challenge, past, future, hopes, fears, and outcome. It is the most detailed common spread.
How many cards should a tarot reading use?
It depends on the question. One card for a quick answer, three for a situation, and five to ten for a deep, multi-faceted reading.
For entertainment & self-reflection only. tarotogo does not provide medical, legal, financial, or psychological advice. Card artwork: the 1909 Rider-Waite-Smith deck (public domain).