How to play Nonograms

A nonogram is a picture hidden in a grid. Next to every row and above every column are numbers. Each number is a run of filled squares in that line, in the order given, with at least one empty square between runs. Use the numbers to work out which squares to fill, and the picture appears. You may know these puzzles as picture logic or paint by numbers.

Filling and marking

With Fill chosen, tap a square to fill it. Tap it again to clear it.
With X chosen, tap a square you know is empty. The X is only a note for you.
Drag along a row or a column to fill or mark several squares at once.
When the numbers of a line turn pale, that line is done.
Fill a square that is not in the picture and it becomes a red X, which adds 10 seconds to your time.

Three sizes

5 × 5 is a quick start, 10 × 10 is the classic, and 15 × 15 is a longer puzzle. There are 48 pictures, from hearts and houses to a lighthouse and a rooster, and every one has exactly one answer that you can reach by reasoning alone, without guessing.

Tricks that solve pictures faster

Big numbers first. In a line of 10, a run of 7 always covers the middle 4 squares, wherever it starts.
Zero means empty. A 0 marks the whole line empty.
Add up the line. If the runs plus one gap between each fill the line exactly, there is only one way.
Finish with X. When a line is done, mark its other squares with X so the crossing lines get easier.
Go back and forth. Every filled square in a row helps the column it sits in.

Stuck? Hint fills in the next square you can work out and says which line shows it, for 30 extra seconds.

Today's puzzle

Every day there is one Daily Puzzle, 10 × 10, the same picture for every player. Reveal it as fast as you can and see how you compare with everyone else who played today.

Questions

Do I have to mark empty squares? No. The picture is done as soon as every filled square is right. X marks are only notes.

Can a puzzle have two answers? Not here. Every picture is checked to have exactly one.

Do I need an account? No. Your puzzles, streak and settings stay in this browser. A free account keeps them on every device.