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Nonogram Puzzle

Fill in the grid using the number clues to reveal a hidden picture. Every puzzle is freshly generated and checked so it has exactly one solution that you can reach by logic alone, with no guessing.

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How to use the Nonogram Puzzle

  1. Pick a size and difficulty, then press New puzzle. 5×5 is a quick warm-up; 15×15 takes a while.
  2. Read the clues. The numbers beside each row and above each column give the lengths of the filled blocks in that line, in order. Blocks are separated by at least one empty square.
  3. Fill squares by clicking or tapping them; drag to fill several in a row. Switch to the ✕ tool (or right-click) to mark squares you know are empty.
  4. Use logic: start with big numbers that overlap in the middle of a line, then use crossing rows and columns. If you get stuck, press Hint.
  5. Finish the picture. When every filled square is correct, the puzzle is solved and the picture appears.

Nonogram solving techniques

  1. Simple boxes (overlap). Slide a block as far left as it can go, then as far right. Squares covered in both positions must be filled. In a 10-wide row, a clue of 6 always fills squares 5 and 6; a clue of 8 fills squares 3 to 8.
  2. Full lines. If the clue numbers plus one gap between each block add up to the line length, the whole line is fixed. In a 10-wide row, 4 3 1 needs 4 + 3 + 1 + 2 gaps = 10 squares, so there is only one way to place it.
  3. Zero lines and empty squares. A clue of 0 means the line is empty: cross it out. Squares that no block can reach are empty too.
  4. Finished blocks. When a block reaches its full length, put a cross on both ends of it.
  5. Edges. A filled square near the edge of the grid often forces the first block to extend away from the edge.
  6. Cross-check. Every square you decide in a row gives new information to its column. Keep switching between rows and columns until the picture appears.

Puzzle sizes and difficulty

SizeSquaresTypical timeGood for
5 × 525under 2 minutesLearning the rules
8 × 8642–6 minutesA quick break
10 × 101005–15 minutesClassic newspaper size
12 × 1214410–25 minutesPractising the techniques
15 × 1522515–45 minutesA real challenge

Difficulty sets how many squares are filled: about 62% on Easy, 55% on Medium and 48% on Hard. Fewer filled squares means smaller numbers and fewer easy overlaps, so you need more cross-checking between rows and columns.

Controls

ActionMouse / touchKeyboard
Fill a squareClick or tap (Fill tool)Space or Enter
Mark as empty (✕)Right-click, Shift+click, or tap with the Cross toolX
Fill or cross a linePress and drag across the row or column–
Clear a squareClick it again with the same toolBackspace / Delete
Undo / hintUndo / Hint buttonsCtrl+Z / H

Frequently asked questions

What is a nonogram?

A nonogram is a picture logic puzzle. Each row and column has a clue: a list of numbers giving the lengths of the runs of filled squares in that line, in order, with at least one empty square between runs. Using all the clues together you work out which squares are filled, and the result is a picture. Nonograms are also called Picross, Griddlers, Hanjie or Paint by Numbers.

Who invented nonograms?

Nonograms were created in Japan in 1987 by graphic editor Non Ishida and, independently, puzzle maker Tetsuya Nishio. The name comes from Non Ishida plus diagram. They became popular worldwide in the 1990s through newspapers and handheld video games.

Does every puzzle have a unique solution?

Yes. Each puzzle is generated and then solved by a line-by-line logic solver. A puzzle is only used if that solver can complete it with no guessing, which also proves that only one solution exists.

How do I solve a nonogram? Where do I start?

Start with the overlap method: in a 10-square row with the clue 7, the block must cover squares 4 to 7 wherever it is placed, so fill those. Rows whose clue numbers plus the gaps add up to the full width can be filled completely. Then mark crosses where nothing can go and use the crossing columns to continue.

What does the mistake counter do?

With Show mistakes on, a wrong square is corrected immediately (shown in red) and counted as a mistake. Turn it off for the classic experience: you can then press Check at any time to see wrong squares.

How do hints work?

A hint looks at the squares you have placed correctly and finds a square that can be deduced from one row or column using logic. It fills or crosses that square and highlights the line so you can see why.

Can I play with a keyboard?

Yes. Click the grid, then use the arrow keys to move, Space or Enter to fill, X to cross, Backspace to clear, Ctrl+Z to undo and H for a hint.

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