Nonogram Puzzles

The numbers beside each row and above each column give the lengths of the filled blocks in that line, in order, with at least one gap between blocks. “3 1” means a block of 3, then later a block of 1. Use logic to fill the grid.

How to play

1. Click or drag to fill squares. Right-click (or switch the mode) to mark a square you know is empty.
2. Row and column clues list the block lengths in order.
3. The puzzle is solved when every row and column matches its clue.

Solving techniques

• Overlap: a block of 4 in a row of 5 must cover the middle 3 squares, whatever its position.
• Zeros: a clue of 0 means the whole line is empty.
• Full lines: clues that add up (with gaps) to the line length fix every square, like 2 2 in a row of 5.
• Cross-checking: each filled or marked square gives new information to its column.

The math

For a row of length n with blocks summing to s and k blocks, there are C(n − s + 1, k) ways to place them. Solvers use this count to find squares that are filled in every arrangement.

Nonogram Puzzles quiz: 10 questions

Test yourself with 10 multiple-choice questions. Choose an answer and press Submit to see if you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.

Frequently asked questions

What is a nonogram?

A picture logic puzzle: number clues tell how many squares in each row and column are filled, in which groups.

Do the puzzles have one solution?

Random puzzles can sometimes have more than one; any grid that matches every clue counts as solved.

How do I mark an empty square?

Right-click, or switch the mode button to mark.

Which size should I start with?

5 × 5, then move up to 10 × 10.

Can I play on a phone?

Yes. Tap or drag to fill; use the mode button to mark.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Nonogram

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