Nonogram
Reveal a hidden picture from number clues.
↑ This is Nonogram running right here in your browser — no download needed.
About the game
Nonogram, or Picross, is a logic puzzle: use the numbers on each row and column to determine which cells to fill, gradually revealing a pixel image.
How to play
Each row and column header lists the lengths of consecutive filled blocks. Deduce which cells must be filled and mark the rest empty until the picture appears.
Tips & strategy
['Start with the largest clues that force fills.', 'Mark certain-empty cells with an X to track progress.', 'Use overlapping row and column constraints.']
Advanced guide
Solve Nonograms by cross-referencing. Begin with lines whose clues fill most of the length, then refine using the perpendicular constraints. Mark definitely-empty cells too - each confirmed empty shrinks the possibilities and exposes the hidden picture faster.
History & origins
Nonograms gained popularity in Japan and the West in the 1990s as 'picture crosswords'.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start?
Find rows or columns whose clue equals the full length - fill them entirely.
What do the numbers mean?
They are the sizes of contiguous filled groups in that line.
Can a line have gaps?
Yes, a '1 2' clue means a single cell, a gap, then two.
Is every puzzle uniquely solvable?
Proper ones are, by pure logic.
What if I make an error?
Most versions let you undo or reset the grid.
Why is it satisfying?
A coherent image emerges from pure deduction.
Where can I play Nonogram for free?
Right on this page — Nonogram is embedded above, free, legal, and with no download or sign-up. Play with your keyboard on desktop or touch controls on mobile. Your best score is saved in your browser, so it's still there next time. Every game here is original or open-source, with links that stay valid.