Nonogram

How to Play Nonogram (Picross)

Nonogram (also known as Picross or Griddlers) is a picture logic puzzle. It's like a mix between Sudoku and pixel art!

Basic Rules

1. The Grid & Clues: You start with a blank grid. At the end of each row and column, there are numbers (clues).
2. What the Numbers Mean: The numbers tell you unbroken lines of filled-in squares there are in that given row or column.
   • For example, a clue of 5 means there are five filled squares in a row.
   • A clue of 2 3 means there is a set of two filled squares, followed by at least one empty square, and then a set of three filled squares.
3. The Goal: Use logic to determine which cells should be filled and which should be crossed out (X). Once all clues are satisfied, a hidden pixel-art picture is revealed!

Pro Strategies

• Start with the Largest Numbers: Always scan for the biggest clues first. If you have a 10x10 grid and a row clue is 10, you can instantly fill that entire row!
• Overlaps (The Box Method): If a grid is 10x10 and the clue is 7, count 7 from the left, then count 7 from the right. The overlapping squares in the middle (squares 4, 5, 6, 7) MUST be filled, no matter where the block actually starts!
• Use the 'X' Mark: Marking a cell with an 'X' (meaning it's definitively empty) is just as important as filling a cell. It helps you mathematically restrict where the blocks can go.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need to guess in Nonograms? A: No! Just like Sudoku, all proper Nonograms can be solved entirely through logic. Guessing usually leads to unrecoverable mistakes.

Q: What does multiple numbers like 1 1 1 mean? A: It means there are three separate blocks of single filled squares, and there MUST be at least one empty square (X) separating each of them.