Nonogram

Today's puzzle
52222124
31
5
11
5
4

Time 0:00 Won 0 of 0 Best none yet

Picture logic puzzles: the numbers tell you which squares to fill, and every puzzle can be solved without guessing. Free, with no sign-up.

Also try: Sudoku · Killer Sudoku · Minesweeper

How to play Nonogram

A nonogram is a grid of squares to fill in. The numbers beside each row and above each column tell you how the filled squares fall in that line. Fill the right squares and a picture or pattern appears. The 10 by 10 puzzles start with real pictures.

Choose a size above the grid: Easy is 5 by 5, Medium 10 by 10 and Hard 15 by 15. Check marks any wrong squares with a red dashed outline. Hint fills in a square you can work out next, and takes out a square you've filled by mistake. Undo and Redo have no limit.

Tips

Keyboard

Arrow keys move between squares. Space or Enter uses the chosen tool, F fills and X crosses out. Delete clears a square. Ctrl+Z undoes and Ctrl+Y redoes.

Questions

How do you solve a nonogram?

The numbers beside each row and above each column give the runs of filled squares in that line, in order, with at least one empty square between runs. A 3 1 means three filled squares in a row, a gap, then one more. Start with the biggest numbers: in a 10-square row, a run of 8 must cover the middle 6 squares wherever it goes.

Do I ever have to guess?

No. Every puzzle here is checked by a solver that works one row or column at a time, so each one has a single answer you can reach by logic alone.

What are the crosses for?

A cross marks a square you know is empty. It's only a note to yourself: the puzzle is solved when the filled squares are right, whatever you've crossed.

Are there other names for these puzzles?

Yes. They're also known as Hanjie, Japanese crosswords, and paint by numbers puzzles. The rules are the same.