How to play Nonogram
A nonogram is a picture hidden in a grid. The numbers beside each row and above each column tell you how many filled squares are in that line, in order. "3 1" means a run of three filled squares, then at least one empty square, then a single filled square. Fill in the right squares and the picture appears.
- Fill: click or tap a square. Drag to fill several in a row or column.
- Cross: mark squares you know are empty. Right-click, or switch the tool to Cross (X toggles).
- Clicking a square again with the same tool clears it.
- A row or column clue turns grey when the line matches it.
- Check: when on, each move is compared with the solution. A wrong fill is marked with a red cross and counted as a mistake, and finished lines are crossed out automatically. Turn it off to solve without checking.
Sizes
- 5×5: short puzzles for learning the rules.
- 10×10: the standard size.
- 15×15: larger pictures with longer clues.
- Daily: one 10×10 puzzle per day, the same for every player.
Every puzzle has exactly one solution and can be solved by logic alone, one line at a time, without guessing.
Solving techniques
Big numbers first
In a 10-square line, a clue of 8 must cover squares 3 to 8 however it is placed. Fill the overlap.
Full lines
If the clues plus the gaps between them add up to the line length — like "4 5" in a 10-square line — the whole line is known.
Zeros and completed lines
A clue of 0 means the whole line is empty. Once a line's clue is satisfied, cross out the rest of it.
Edges
A filled square touching the edge belongs to the first (or last) block. Extend it to that block's full length and cross the square after it.
Work back and forth
Each square you fill or cross in a row gives new information to its column. Alternate between rows and columns until the picture is complete.
Frequently asked questions
What are other names for nonograms?
They are also called Hanjie, paint by numbers, or picture logic puzzles.
Do I need to cross out empty squares?
No. The puzzle is solved when every picture square is filled. Crosses are only notes for yourself.