About Nonogram
Play Nonogram online for free — also known as Picross. Shade grid cells based on the number clues along each row and column. Get every clue right and a hidden picture emerges. Pure grid-deduction logic with a satisfying payoff.
The Rules
Use the number clues on each row and column to work out which cells to fill in. Solve it correctly and a picture emerges.
Step by Step
- Each row and column has a list of numbers showing the length of each consecutive shaded block, in order.
- Shade a cell if you're sure it belongs to the picture; mark it if you're sure it's empty.
- Blocks in a clue must appear in order, with at least one empty cell between separate blocks.
- The puzzle is solved when every row and column clue is satisfied.
Tips & Strategy
- Start with rows or columns whose clue numbers add up close to the grid size — they have the fewest possible arrangements.
- Mark cells you're sure are empty as you go; it keeps candidate blocks visible and prevents mistakes.
- Cross-reference finished rows against their columns often — new certainty in one usually unlocks the other.
- A single large number close to the grid size (like a 9 in a 10-wide row) pins down most of that line immediately — look for these first on a new puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nonogram the same as Picross?
Yes — Picross is a common alternate name for the same picture-logic puzzle popularized by Nintendo.
What happens when I finish the grid?
Every clue checks out and the shaded cells form a complete picture.
What's the difference between shading and marking a cell?
Shading fills a cell you're sure belongs to the picture; marking (an X) flags a cell you're sure is empty — marking doesn't affect the solution but keeps your reasoning organized.
