How to Solve Nonograms

The rules

Each square is either filled in or left empty. The numbers beside each row and above each column tell you how the filled squares are grouped in that line.

• A clue of 3 means three filled squares in a row, with no gaps.
• A clue of 2 1 means a group of two filled squares, then at least one empty square, then a single filled square. The groups are always in the order shown.
• A clue of 0, or no number, means the line is completely empty.

Every row and every column must match its clue at the same time. That is the whole game.

A worked example, 5 × 5

Here is a small puzzle. The numbers above are the column clues and the numbers on the left are the row clues.

	2	4	5	4	2
3
5
5
3
1

1. Start with the full lines. Rows 2 and 3 say 5 in a line of 5, so every square in them is filled. Column 3 also says 5, so all of column 3 is filled.
2. Use the overlap. Columns 2 and 4 say 4 in a line of 5. The 4 can start at the top or one square down, and either way the middle three squares are always filled. That fills row 4 in columns 2 and 4.
3. Close off finished lines. Columns 1 and 5 say 2, and rows 2 and 3 already give each of them two filled squares. Everything else in those columns must be empty, so mark the other squares with an X.
4. Check the rows. Row 4 says 3, and it now has columns 2, 3 and 4 filled with columns 1 and 5 empty, so it is done. Row 5 says 1 and column 3 supplies it, so the rest of row 5 is empty.
5. Finish the top. Columns 2 and 4 need four squares each. Rows 2 to 4 are filled and row 5 is empty, so row 1 must be filled in those columns. Row 1 now has three filled squares in the middle, which matches its clue of 3.

The solved picture

	2	4	5	4	2
3	X				X
5
5
3	X				X
1	X	X		X	X

Tips for harder puzzles

• Look for big clues first. A clue that nearly fills the line leaves very little room to move, so some squares are certain.
• Add the clue numbers plus the gaps between them. If the total is close to the length of the line, the groups can only slide a little, and the squares they always cover can be filled.
• Mark empty squares with an X. An X is a note to yourself that a square is definitely empty. It lets you see what is left in a line.
• Work back and forth. Every square you settle in a row helps the column it sits in, and the other way round. When you are stuck on one line, move to another.
• Never guess. A nonogram can always be worked out from the clues, one certain square at a time.

Playing on this site

• Fill a squareClick or tap it. Click or tap again to clear it. You can drag across several squares to fill or clear a whole stretch.
• Mark a square as empty (X)Right-click it with a mouse, or press and hold it on a phone or tablet.
• Choose a sizePuzzles come in 5 × 5, 10 × 10 and 15 × 15. Start with 5 × 5 while you learn.
• New GameStarts a fresh puzzle at the size you chose.
• ClearWipes your marks so you can start the same puzzle again.
• Peek and SolvePeek shows the answer picture in a small window without changing your grid. Solve fills in the whole answer. You can hide both buttons in Settings if you would rather not be tempted.
• SettingsTurn the Peek and Solve buttons on or off, and choose whether the clue numbers of a finished row or column turn green.
• Save and LoadLog in, free, to save a puzzle and come back to it on any device.

When the last square is right, a message tells you how long it took.

Play Nonograms

Questions

What is a nonogram?

A puzzle where numbers at the edge of a grid tell you which squares to fill in. When you fill them in correctly they form a picture. They are also known as Picross, Griddlers and Hanjie.

Is it free?

Yes. You do not need a login to play. A free login only adds saving and loading.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. Tap to fill a square and press and hold to mark an X.

Looking for more puzzles? Try TwentyFour or Sudoku, or see all of Albert Holt's games.