About Nonogram
Nonograms, also known as Picross or Griddlers, are logic puzzles that turn into pictures. They are hugely popular with Sudoku fans looking for something new.
There are 24 levels growing from 5×5 to 10×10. Wrong fills are caught right away and cost a heart, which makes learning easier.
Nonogram at a glance
| Genre | Logic game |
|---|---|
| Price | Free, no download or sign-up |
| Controls | Tap |
| Typical game length | 10 to 20 minutes for 4 puzzles |
| Lives | 3 per puzzle |
| Works on | Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser |
| Daily challenge | Yes, the same puzzle for everyone each day |
How to play Nonogram
- Read the clues. "3 1" means a run of 3 filled squares, a gap, then 1.
- Fill squares. Tap to fill.
- Mark empty squares. Switch to Mark mode to cross them out.
- Complete the picture. To finish each puzzle.
Rules
- A wrong fill costs a heart; 3 hearts per puzzle.
Levels and difficulty
24 levels: four at each size from 5×5 up to 10×10. Your progress is saved on your device, and you can replay any level you have unlocked.
Scoring
Each puzzle scores more for larger grids, plus a bonus for hearts left. Daily challenge scores can be shared with friends.
Tips and strategy for Nonogram
- Start with big numbers: a 7 in a row of 10 must fill the middle 4 squares.
- A clue of 0 means the whole line is empty.
- Cross out squares you know are empty; it helps the other direction.
History of the game
Nonograms were invented in Japan in 1987, by Non Ishida and, independently, by puzzler Tetsuya Nishio.
How we built and tested Nonogram
We tested every puzzle size to confirm the clues always match the hidden picture.
Frequently asked questions
What do the numbers mean?
They list the runs of filled squares in that row or column, in order.
Are these the same as Picross?
Yes, Picross and Griddlers are other names for nonograms.