Do I ever need to guess?

No. Nonogramly puzzles are designed to be completed with logic alone. If you feel stuck, it does not mean you must gamble — it means a certain move is hiding in a line you have not re-checked since your last few placements.

What does a clue like "3 1 2" actually promise?

Reading along the line: a block of three filled cells, then at least one empty cell, then a single filled cell, then at least one more empty cell, then a block of two. The order never changes, and the gaps can be any size — as long as each is at least one cell.

What happens when I make a mistake?

Painting a cell that should be empty counts as a mistake, and you have a limited number of lives per puzzle. Run out and the round ends — but you can restart the same puzzle instantly. X marks are safe: a wrong X never costs a life.

Which size should a beginner start with?

Start with 5x5 or 10x10 classic puzzles on easy difficulty. Small grids teach you to read clues and use the overlap technique without overwhelming you. Once a 10x10 feels comfortable, 15x15 is where nonograms start to get really satisfying.

Guide

How to Play Nonogram?

A nonogram is solved using the numbers in front of every row and column: each number tells you how many consecutive cells in that line are filled. Pure deduction is enough to complete the whole grid and reveal the hidden picture — no guessing, ever.

THE THREE RULES

Numbers Describe Groups

Each clue number describes one group of consecutive filled cells in that row or column. A clue of "4" means four filled cells standing side by side, with no gap inside the group.

Order Is Preserved

Multiple numbers describe multiple groups in the exact order they appear. "2 1" means a group of two comes first, and somewhere after it — left to right, or top to bottom — a single filled cell.

Groups Are Separated

Between two groups there is always at least one empty cell. This single rule powers almost every deduction you will make, so keep it in mind constantly.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Read the Clues

Start by scanning the numbers. A row clue reads left to right; a column clue reads top to bottom. "5" in a 10-cell row means one block of five filled cells somewhere in that row. "2 1" means a block of two, at least one empty cell, then a single filled cell. Before touching the grid, find the lines that say the most: very large numbers, full lines, or empty lines (clue "0").

Paint the Guaranteed Cells

When a clue is large compared to the line, the block cannot avoid the middle. Imagine pushing the block all the way left, then all the way right: every cell covered in both scenarios is guaranteed to be filled. This is called the overlap technique, and it is how almost every nonogram is opened.

Try It Yourself

This row has 10 cells and the clue is 7. Push the block fully left and it covers cells 1–7; fully right, cells 4–10. Paint only the cells that stay filled in both cases.

Mark Empty Cells with an X

An X is not decoration — it is information. The moment a line’s clue is fully satisfied, every remaining cell in it must be empty: mark them. Each X you place narrows down the possibilities in the column or row that crosses it, which is exactly where your next move usually comes from.

Try It Yourself

The clue here is 3, and the block of three is already placed. The line is complete — mark every remaining cell with an X.

Cross-Check Rows and Columns

Every cell belongs to one row and one column at the same time, so every move you make in one direction creates new information in the other. After painting or marking, glance at the lines that cross your move — a column that was unsolvable a minute ago may now have only one possible layout.

Repeat Until the Picture Emerges

Solving a nonogram is a loop: find a certain move, place it, and let it unlock the next one. Prioritise lines that are nearly complete, and if you feel the urge to guess — stop. There is always another line with a certain move; finding it is the real game. Cell by cell, the hidden picture will take shape.

CONTROLS

On Desktop

Left click paints a cell, right click places an X, and holding the button while dragging fills several cells in one motion. Use the zoom controls on bigger grids to keep the clues readable, and undo freely — experimenting with certain moves costs nothing.

On Mobile

Pick a tool first — Fill or Cross — then tap or drag across cells. Pinch to zoom on larger boards, and use the note tools to pencil in possibilities you want to come back to. The active tool is always shown, so you never paint when you meant to mark.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Now you know the basic mechanics. Time to speed up with tactics

Go to Strategy Center →

Ready to solve the logic?

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Left click to paint · Right click to mark empty · Drag to select multiple