Learn Nonogram: Free Interactive Lessons and Techniques
Nonograms (also called Picross or Griddlers) look like they need guesswork, but a good puzzle never does: every cell follows from the clues, one line at a time. These lessons are played on the same board you solve the daily puzzles on. You read a few lines, mark the cells, and the board tells you whether a line really proves them. Start with the rules if you are new; go straight to the techniques if you already know how the clues work.
- 5 lessons
- 20 min
- Free, no sign-up
Unit 1
The rules
What the numbers beside each row and above each column mean, how to fill and cross out cells, and when a puzzle counts as solved. One small picture, start to finish.
Unit 2
Solving techniques
The four line techniques that solve most puzzles: the overlap, working from the edge, crossing out finished lines, and joining and splitting the cells you have already filled.
Nonogram Overlap Technique (Simple Boxes)
Learn the overlap technique for nonograms. Slide each block to both ends of its line and fill the cells it covers either way. Practise it on a real puzzle.Nonogram Edge Technique: Start From the Wall
A filled cell against the edge of the grid pins its block in place. Learn the edge technique for nonograms, and use a crossed-out cell as a wall too.Nonogram Technique: Cross Out Finished Lines
When a line's clue is complete, every other cell in it is empty. Learn to cross out finished lines in a nonogram, and use the crosses to solve the next line.Nonogram Joining and Splitting Techniques
Two filled cells in one block must be joined; two that can't share a block must be split. Learn both nonogram techniques on a real puzzle.