How do you play Nonogram?
A nonogram is a logic puzzle where you fill in cells so that each row and column matches the numbers beside it, revealing a hidden picture. It is also known as Picross, Griddlers, Paint by Numbers and, in Korea, Nemo Logic.
Each number is the length of an unbroken run of filled cells in that line. When the grid is right, the dark cells turn into a colorful clay picture and its name pops up.
How do you read the clues?
| Clue | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 | The line has one block of five filled cells in a row. |
| 2 3 | A block of two, then a block of three, in that order, with at least one empty cell between them. |
| 1 1 1 | Three single cells, each separated by at least one gap. |
| 0 | Nothing in that line is filled. You can mark it all with ✕. |
- Fill: fill a cell once you are sure it belongs to a block.
- Mark ✕: cross out cells you know are empty. Crosses are only notes and do not count toward the answer.
- Finished lines: once a line matches its clue, its numbers fade.
- Solved: the puzzle ends when your filled cells match the picture exactly.
What is the difference between 3 mistakes mode and free mode?
In 3 mistakes mode a wrong cell is flagged right away and the third mistake ends the game. In free mode nothing is checked until the whole picture is right. New players usually find 3 mistakes mode easier.
In 3 mistakes mode, filling a cell that should be empty puts a red ✕ there, and crossing out a cell that should be filled paints it red, costing one heart either way. Switch modes with the button on the start screen.
Tips for solving nonograms
- Start with big numbers. An 8 in a line of 10 always covers the middle 6 cells, wherever it sits. Any clue longer than half the line has overlap like this.
- Add up the clue. If the numbers plus one gap between each block equal the line length, the whole line is fixed. A 4 1 3 in a line of 10 makes 4+1+1+1+3=10, so there is only one way to place it.
- Use crosses freely. Marking empty cells shrinks the space left for the remaining blocks and reveals the next move.
- Alternate rows and columns. Every new cell you settle is a fresh hint for the line running the other way.
- Never guess. Every grid here is solvable one line at a time. If you are stuck, there is a line you have not checked yet.
All 32 pictures were drawn cell by cell by ormgames and checked with a computer solver to have exactly one answer reachable by line logic. Random grids pass the same check before you see them. Solved pictures and best times are saved in this browser.
Controls
- Fill: tap a cell. Tap a filled cell to clear it.
- Mark ✕: long press on a phone, right click on a computer, or switch the ■ Fill button to ✕ Mark and simply tap.
- Several cells at once: press and drag. The stroke locks to the direction you first move, so a shaky finger never slips into the next line.
- Keyboard: arrow keys move, Space (or Enter) fills and X marks. Hold the key while pressing arrows to keep going. Ctrl+Z undoes.