Nonogram Rules

The Grid

A Nonogram — also called Picross, Griddlers, or Hanjie — is played on a rectangular grid of cells. Each cell is either filled (black) or empty (white). Your goal is to figure out which cells to fill using the number clues provided above each column and to the left of each row.

When you are finished, the filled cells reveal a pattern. Every puzzle has exactly one correct solution.

How Clues Work

Each row and column has a list of numbers. These numbers describe the groups of consecutive filled cells in that line, from left to right (for rows) or top to bottom (for columns).

A clue of 3

There is exactly one group of 3 consecutive filled cells somewhere in this line. It can be anywhere — left, right, or centre.

A clue of 2 1

There is a group of 2 filled cells, then at least one empty cell, then a group of 1 filled cell — in that exact order. The groups cannot be swapped.

A clue of 0

The entire line is empty — every cell in this row or column must be left blank.

Solving Your First Puzzle

Start with the lines that give you the most information — lines where the clue leaves very little room to move.

Step 1 — Find forced cells

If a clue group is large relative to the line length, some cells must be filled no matter where the group sits. For example, in a line of 5 with clue 4, the group can start at position 1 or 2. In both cases, cells 2–4 are always filled. Mark them.

Step 2 — Cross-reference rows and columns

Every cell sits at the intersection of a row and a column. Information you gain from solving a row helps you solve its columns, and vice versa. Work back and forth between rows and columns — each pass unlocks more cells.

Step 3 — Mark empty cells

Use the × mark to note cells that must be empty. This is just as important as marking filled cells — it splits lines into smaller segments and makes future deductions easier.

Step 4 — Never guess

Every puzzle on nonogram.ch has a unique solution reachable by pure logic. If you are stuck, move to a different line and come back. You should never need to guess.

How to Play Online

• Left-click a cell to fill it black
• Click again to mark it with an × (empty)
• Click a third time to clear it back to blank
• Right-click to mark × directly
• Click and drag to fill or mark multiple cells at once
• Use Note mode to add pencil dots to uncertain cells

Completed rows and columns turn gold automatically so you can track your progress at a glance.

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