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Nonogram

Use number clues to reveal a hidden picture.

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Fill cells to match the numbers. Drag to paint a line, switch to Cross to mark blanks.

How to play Nonogram

Goal

Fill the right squares so every row and column matches its clue, revealing the picture.

  1. 1The numbers beside each row and above each column list the runs of filled squares in that line, in order.
  2. 2Runs are separated by at least one empty square. A clue of 3 1 means three filled squares, a gap, then one more.
  3. 3Fill squares you are sure of, and switch to Cross mode to mark squares that must stay empty.
  4. 4A clue fades once its line matches it. Keep going until the picture appears in color.

On a computer

Click or drag to fill, right click to cross. Arrow keys move, Space fills, X crosses, M switches mode, U undoes.

On a phone

Tap or drag across squares to fill. Switch to Cross mode to mark blanks.

Play Nonogram free online. Use the row and column number clues to fill the grid and reveal a hidden pixel picture. 5x5, 10x10 and 15x15 puzzles plus a daily.

Nonogram tips and strategy

  • Start with the biggest clues. A run of 8 in a 10 square row must cover the middle six squares no matter where it starts.
  • Clues that add up to the full line, counting one gap between runs, fill the whole line at once.
  • A 0 clue means the whole line is empty. Cross it out right away.
  • Use Cross mode generously. Marking empty squares makes the remaining options much easier to see.
  • Drag across several squares to fill them in one stroke. The stroke locks to the row or column you started in.
  • When a clue fades, its line is complete, so cross any blank squares left in it.

About Nonogram

A nonogram is a picture hidden in a grid. Each row and column has a clue made of numbers, and those numbers tell you the lengths of the runs of filled squares in that line, in order. By comparing the rows and columns you can work out exactly which squares to fill, and when you finish, a pixel picture appears.

These puzzles were first published in Japan in the late 1980s and spread around the world under names like Picross, Griddlers, Hanjie and paint by numbers. Our free Nonogram has more than 40 original pictures drawn for this site, from a 5x5 heart to a 15x15 owl, and when you run out of pictures it makes new random patterns. Every puzzle is checked with a line solver, so it has one answer and you can reach it with logic alone.

When you solve a puzzle the picture fills in with color and tells you what it is. The daily puzzle gives everyone the same picture, which makes it fun to compare times with friends.

Nonogram FAQ

What is the difference between a nonogram, Picross and Griddlers?

They are the same kind of puzzle. Picross and Griddlers are names used by different publishers for nonograms.

Do I ever have to guess?

No. Every puzzle here is checked with a line solver, which proves it can be finished one row or column at a time using only the clues.

How do I mark a square as empty?

Switch to Cross mode, right click on a computer, or press X on the keyboard. Crosses are only notes for you and do not count toward the answer.

What does the Check button do?

It shows any filled squares or crosses that are wrong for a moment, and adds 10 seconds to your time.

Can I finish a puzzle later?

Yes. Your progress is saved in your browser after every move, so the puzzle is waiting when you come back.

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