Frequently asked questions
Common questions about nonograms, picross, and how this site works.
Do nonograms always have exactly one solution?
A well-designed nonogram has exactly one solution, and that is the whole point of the puzzle — the picture you reveal should never be ambiguous. Poorly generated puzzles can have multiple valid solutions, which forces you to guess between them. Every puzzle on this site is checked to be uniquely solvable, so there is always one correct picture and you can reach it by logic alone.
Is guessing ever required?
For a properly made puzzle, no — guessing should never be necessary. Our nonograms are line-solvable, meaning every cell can be deduced by reasoning about a single row or column at a time and cross-referencing the two. If you feel stuck, you have not run out of logic; you have just missed a deduction. Switch to a different row or column, mark the cells you know are empty, and the next step usually appears.
Are nonograms good for your brain?
Nonograms exercise logical reasoning, working memory, and pattern recognition, since you are constantly holding partial deductions in mind and spotting where runs can and cannot fit. Many people also find them calming — the steady, focused problem-solving can feel meditative. They are a pleasant mental workout, though we would not claim any specific medical benefit; treat them as enjoyable practice for your reasoning, not therapy.
What's the difference between nonograms, picross, and griddlers?
They are all the same puzzle under different names. "Nonogram" is the most common term, "picross" comes from Nintendo's "Picture Cross" series and is effectively their brand name, and "griddlers" is another popular label, especially in puzzle collections. You may also see hanjie (common in the UK) or paint-by-numbers. The rules are identical no matter what the puzzle is called.
How do I get better or faster?
Three habits make the biggest difference. First, always mark cells you know are empty — an empty mark is a real deduction that unlocks others. Second, lean on the overlap technique: for long runs, the cells that must be filled regardless of where the run sits are free information. Third, play regularly; speed comes from recognizing familiar patterns. Our beginner's guide and solving techniques cover these in detail.
Are bigger grids always harder?
Not necessarily. Size affects how long a puzzle takes, but difficulty is really about the kind of logic required. A small grid with sparse, scattered clues can demand subtler deductions than a large grid full of long, obvious runs. A 15x15 puzzle with many big runs may almost solve itself, while a tricky 10x10 can stump you. We rate puzzles by the reasoning they need, not by grid size alone.
Do I need to be good at math?
No. The numbers in a nonogram are not sums to calculate — they simply tell you the lengths of the filled runs in each line. Solving is about spatial deduction: figuring out where runs can and cannot fit. If you can count to about fifteen, you have all the arithmetic you will ever need. Nonograms reward careful reasoning, not mental math.
How is a "daily" nonogram different?
The daily nonogram is a single fresh puzzle that everyone sees on the same day — the same grid for every player, swapped out at midnight. Because it is shared, it gives you something to compare and a reason to come back: solve it each day and you build a streak. It is the same kind of puzzle as any other on the site, just curated as the one-a-day challenge.
Do I need an account or app to play?
No account, download, or payment is needed. Every puzzle runs instantly in your browser, on desktop or mobile, and it is free. Your daily streak is kept on your device, so you can simply open the page and start solving.
New here? Start with the beginner's guide, then sharpen up with our solving techniques.
Got it — ready to play?