THE FIELD GUIDE

How to play
nonograms.

A nonogram, sometimes called a picture logic puzzle, hides an image in a grid. Use the numbers outside the grid to decide which squares to fill. You can solve it with logic, one row and column at a time.

01

Read each clue in order

A clue of 2, 3 means two filled squares, at least one empty square, then three filled squares. The groups stay in that order, even if there are extra empty squares at either end.

02

Find what must be filled

Compare a clue with the available space. In a row of five, a clue of 5 fills every square. A clue of 3, 1 also fills the whole row because the groups need one empty square between them.

03

Mark what cannot be filled

Use the Empty tool to place an X in a square you know is blank. Empty marks help you reason, but you do not have to mark every blank square to finish the puzzle.

04

Cross-check the other direction

Every filled square belongs to both a row and a column. If a row gives you a square, check its column next. Repeat until the picture is complete.

A SIX-CELL EXAMPLE

Clue: 2, 3

Two filled squares, one empty square, and three filled squares use all six spaces. This row has only one possible answer.

When the answer is less obvious

Use the overlap method

Suppose a ten-cell row has a single clue of 7. The run could start in the first, second, third, or fourth cell. In every placement, the middle four cells are filled. Mark those four cells first, then check the crossing columns.

Use X marks to narrow the choices

Once a run is complete, mark the cells immediately outside it as empty. If a row has a clue of 2, 3, the two groups need at least one empty square between them. Each confirmed empty square limits where the next group can fit.

Good to know

What does a zero mean?

A zero means that row or column has no filled squares.

Does an X count as a mistake?

No. It marks a square you believe is empty. Nonogram Online does not count mistakes or reveal whether each move is correct.

When does the daily puzzle change?

At 00:00 UTC. Everyone receives the same puzzle for that UTC date. Your progress is saved locally in your browser, so it does not follow you to another device.

Can I replay an older daily puzzle?

Yes. Choose a date from September 29, 2026 onward in the Daily archive on the game page. Copy puzzle link to send that exact date to a friend.

How do practice sizes work?

Choose 5×5 for a quick introduction, 10×10 for a longer picture, or 15×15 when you want a bigger challenge. Each practice puzzle has its own shareable link.

Can I play without an account?

Yes. The game and practice puzzles are free to play in your browser.

Try a puzzle