About Masyu
Masyu is drawn on a grid dotted with black and white pearls, and the goal is a single unbroken loop that passes through every pearl on the board. A white pearl means the loop must go straight through that cell but turn immediately in at least one of the adjacent cells; a black pearl means the loop must turn at that cell and go straight through both neighboring cells. Just two symbols, and remarkably deep logic.
The Rules
Draw a single loop through every pearl — passing straight through white pearls and turning at black pearls — visiting no other cell twice.
Step by Step
- Draw one continuous loop that passes through every pearl on the board, using grid lines between cells.
- At a white pearl, the loop must travel straight through and turn in the cell immediately before or after it (or both).
- At a black pearl, the loop must turn at that cell and travel straight through the cell on each side of the turn.
- The loop can't cross itself, branch, or skip any pearl.
- The puzzle is solved when the loop closes into a single continuous shape that satisfies every pearl.
Tips & Strategy
- A white pearl on the very edge or corner of the grid is heavily constrained — its straight-through direction is often forced.
- Two white pearls in a row along the same line usually force the loop to run straight through both.
- For a black pearl, check both possible turn directions — often only one leaves room for the straight segments it requires on each side.
- Trace partial loop segments outward from pearls near the edges first — they have the fewest valid routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a white and black pearl?
White pearls require the loop to go straight through that cell while turning at a neighbor; black pearls require the loop to turn at that cell while going straight through both neighbors.
Does the loop have to visit every cell on the board?
No — only every pearl must be visited. Non-pearl cells may or may not be part of the loop.
Can the loop touch itself at a corner without crossing?
No — the loop is a single simple closed curve with no self-touching points, even at corners.
