Drag from a colored dot to its twin to draw a path. Paths can't cross or branch, and the puzzle is solved only when every pair is joined and every square of the board is covered. Pick a board from 5×5 to 12×12; each size has 9,999 numbered levels.
Last updated:
Level6×6 #1
Flows0/0
Filled0%
Moves0
Best–
Level complete!
Every size has 9,999 levels. A level number always creates the same puzzle, so you can share it with a friend.
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How to use the Connect the Dots Flow Puzzle
Choose a board size. 5×5 and 6×6 are quick warm-ups; 10×10 and 12×12 take real planning.
Drag from a dot to the other dot of the same color. Paths move up, down, left and right, never diagonally.
Fix mistakes by dragging back along a path to shorten it, by starting again from either dot, or by drawing through another color to cut it.
Fill every square. Connecting all pairs is not enough: the Filled counter must reach 100%.
Stuck? Press Show hint to have one flow drawn for you. Then move on with Next or jump to any level number.
Strategy for flow and Numberlink puzzles
Corners and edges first. A dot in a corner has only two ways out. Paths along the border are usually forced, so trace those before working in the middle.
Hug the walls. In most solutions, a flow that runs near the edge follows it closely. Leaving a one-square gap between a path and the edge creates a channel that only one color can fill.
Look for forced squares. If an empty square has only one free neighbor, the path through it must come from that direction. Squares in narrow dead ends tell you a lot.
Don't strand single squares. An empty square boxed in by finished paths can never be filled. When you see one forming, reroute the nearest flow through it.
Nested pairs. When two pairs line up along the same edge, the inner pair usually connects first and the outer pair wraps around it.
Draw tentatively. Cutting and redrawing is free. Draw a likely path, see what space it leaves, and adjust.
Board sizes
Board
Squares
Color pairs
Typical time
5 × 5
25
4 – 5
Under a minute
6 × 6
36
5 – 6
1 – 2 minutes
7 × 7
49
6 – 8
2 – 4 minutes
8 × 8
64
7 – 9
3 – 5 minutes
9 × 9
81
8 – 10
4 – 8 minutes
10 × 10
100
9 – 12
5 – 10 minutes
12 × 12
144
12 – 15
10 minutes or more
Times are rough guides for a first attempt and vary a lot with the level.
Controls
Input
Action
Drag from a dot
Start (or restart) that color's path
Drag from the end of a path
Continue it
Drag back along a path
Shorten it
Drag through another color
Cut the other path at that square
Arrow keys
Move the keyboard cursor, or draw while a path is picked up
Space / Enter
Pick up the dot or path under the cursor, or put it down
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the connect the dots flow puzzle?
Each color appears as exactly two dots on the grid. Draw a path between every matching pair, moving only horizontally and vertically. Paths can't cross, branch or pass through other dots, and when you are done every square of the board must be part of some path.
Is this the same as Flow Free or Numberlink?
It is the same type of puzzle. Numberlink is the traditional pencil-and-paper name, where numbers are joined instead of colors, and Flow is the popular name for the colored version. All levels here are generated in your browser.
Does every level have a solution?
Yes. Each level is made by first creating a single random path that visits every square of the board exactly once, then cutting that path into pieces. The two ends of each piece become a pair of dots, so filling the board is always possible. Any other solution that connects all pairs and fills the board also counts.
How are moves counted?
A move is counted each time you start drawing a different color than the one you drew last. Continuing the same color does not add a move. A perfect score uses exactly one move per color, so it equals the number of flows.
What does the hint do?
The hint draws one complete flow from the stored solution, cutting any of your paths that are in the way. Hints add a move and are mentioned in your result, so try to solve without them for a perfect score.
Any tips for solving flow puzzles?
Start with dots on the edges and in corners, because their paths have the fewest options. Short connections between nearby dots usually hug each other. If a square can only be reached by one color, that color must go through it. Avoid leaving single empty squares surrounded by finished paths, since they can never be filled.
Can I play with color blindness?
Yes. Turn on Numbers on dots and each pair shows the same number, so you can match pairs by number instead of color.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.