THE BEGINNER’S FIELD GUIDE

How to play Nonograms.

Read runs of filled squares and find the overlaps that make a pattern.

Read the runs

Each row and column has a sequence of numbers. Those numbers describe consecutive runs of filled squares, in order. Leave at least one empty square between neighbouring runs. There may also be empty squares before the first run and after the last.

A clue of 2, 1 means a run of two filled squares, a gap of at least one square, then a run of one. A clue of 0 means the whole line is empty.

3
Worked overlap: a run of 3 in five squares has three possible positions. The centre square belongs to all three, so it must be filled.

Two useful deductions

Look for an exact fit

In a line of four squares, the clue 2, 1 fills all available space: two filled squares, one empty square, and one filled square. There is nowhere else to put the runs.

Find the overlap

In a line of five squares, a single run of 3 can start in three places. The middle square is included in all three, so you can safely fill it. That new filled square may reveal something about its column.

Worked deduction: in a five-square row marked 5, fill every square. If a crossing column is marked 1 and this is its only filled square, mark the rest of that column empty.

Go back and forth

A useful row deduction becomes a new column constraint. Work across rows, then down columns, returning to any line where you have gained information. Marking known empty squares is just as useful as filling squares.

Controls

Choose a mode, then tap a square to apply it. Cycle moves through filled, marked empty, and clear. Fill, Empty, and Erase apply directly. You can also right-click to mark a square empty. Use arrow keys to move, F to fill, X to mark empty, and Delete to clear.

Know what Check and Hint do

Check highlights marks that disagree with the unique solution. An unmarked square is not treated as a mistake. Hint reveals one square from the answer and counts it in the completion message. A puzzle is complete when all filled squares satisfy every row and column clue; you do not have to cross out all remaining empty squares.

About the patterns

These are original abstract mosaics on 5 × 5 and 7 × 7 grids. Some suggest a shape; others are simply a satisfying arrangement. Every puzzle has one verified solution.

A different kind of challenge?

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