How to play Nonograms

The goal

Reading the clues

• The numbers beside a row (or over a column) are the lengths of its runs of filled squares, in order.
• Runs are separated by at least one empty square. "3 1" means three filled in a row, a gap, then one more.
• A 0 means the whole line is empty. A clue turns pale once its line matches it.

Filling and crossing out

• Tap a square to fill it. Tap a filled square to clear it.
• Long-press a square, or switch the tool under the board to Cross, to mark a square you know is empty with an X.
• Drag along a row or column to fill or cross many squares at once. The first square decides: start on a filled square and the drag clears instead.

Solving by logic

• Every puzzle can be solved without guessing. Start with big clues: a 7 in a 10-square row must cover the middle four squares.
• Cross out squares that can’t be filled. Each X narrows the other lines down.
• Work back and forth between rows and columns until the picture is done.

More

• Undo takes back your last move. Your puzzle is saved if you leave, and the clock starts at your first move.
• Choose 5×5, 10×10 or 15×15 from New game. Best times are kept for each size.
• On a phone, pinch big boards to zoom in. On a computer, right-click crosses, and the arrow keys with Space, F and X work too.

Questions

Strategy guides