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How to play nonograms

A nonogram is a picture logic puzzle. You get an empty grid and a list of numbers beside every row and above every column. Using only those numbers, you work out which squares are filled. When you're done, the filled squares form a picture. Nonograms are also called picross, griddlers, hanjie, pic-a-pix and paint by numbers.

The rules

Each number is a run of filled squares in a row in that line.
Several numbers mean several runs, in that order (left to right, or top to bottom).
Runs are separated by at least one empty square.
A line with no numbers (or a 0) is completely empty.

For example, a row with the clue 3 1 has a run of three filled squares, then at least one gap, then one more filled square.

A worked example

Take a row of 5 squares with the clue 4. The run of four can start in square 1 or square 2. Either way, squares 2, 3 and 4 are filled, so you can fill them now:

Now a row of 5 with the clue 2 2. Two runs of two plus the gap between them take exactly five squares, so the whole row is decided:

2 2

The overlap rule: if a run is longer than half its line, push it as far left as it goes and as far right as it goes. The squares covered both times are filled for sure.

Solving techniques

Start with the big clues. Lines where the clues add up to nearly the whole length give the most squares first.
Use the edges. A filled square touching the border must be the start of the first (or last) run, so the rest of that run follows.
Cross out what can't be filled. Marking empty squares is as useful as filling: it limits where runs can go in the crossing lines.
Finish lines. When all of a line's runs are placed, the remaining squares are empty.
Go back and forth. Each settled square is a new clue for its row and its column. Keep switching until the picture appears.
Don't guess. Every puzzle in Meowgram has exactly one solution reachable by logic. If you're stuck, scan for a line that just changed.

Sizes and difficulty

Beginners usually start on 5×5 and 10×10 grids. 15×15 grids need more back-and-forth between rows and columns, and 20×20 grids are for experienced solvers. In Meowgram the difficulty climbs gradually, with easier "breather" puzzles along the way.

Try it in Meowgram

Meowgram is a free, cozy nonogram game for Android. Every finished puzzle becomes a hand-stitched cross-stitch picture, there's a new daily puzzle and a weekly event, and Mochi the cat keeps you company.

GET IT ONGoogle Play