Basics
A nonogram is a logic puzzle where numbers encode a picture. Determine every cell without guessing.
- Numbers on the left describe rows; numbers above describe columns.
- Each number is the length of one filled group, in the same order as the clues.
- Groups of the same color have at least one empty cell between them.
- Mark cells that cannot be filled with a cross.
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 1 |
Filled×Definitely emptyStill unknown
Worked example
Let’s solve a small 5×5 nonogram, starting with the strongest clues and then checking columns.
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 1 |
Find the obvious lines firstClues equal to the full line length and long overlapping groups are especially useful on an empty board.
Step 1 of 4
Interactive lesson
Step 1 of 55 min
Technique · reading clues
Numbers describe groups
The clue 1 1 means two separate groups of one filled cell. How many groups must you find?
| 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 5 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 1 |