Nonogram: How to Solve Them, Plus Tips for Beginners

Jeetech Studio · 2026-11-03

What is a nonogram?

A nonogram is a logic puzzle played on a grid. Numbers beside each row and column tell you which cells to fill in. When you fill them all correctly, a hidden picture appears. You may also see them called picross, griddlers or picture logic puzzles.

There's no guessing and no maths beyond simple counting. Every nonogram can be solved by reasoning alone, one line at a time.

How the clues work

Each number is a run of filled cells in a row or column.

• A clue of 3 means three filled cells in a row, with no gaps.
• A clue of 2 1 means a run of two, then at least one empty cell, then a single filled cell.
• The runs always appear in the order shown, but the clue doesn't tell you exactly where they start.

Your job is to work out where each run can and can't sit. Rows and columns share cells, so every cell you settle helps solve the lines that cross it.

Tips for solving a nonogram

Start with the big clues

Look for a line where the clues nearly fill the whole width. On a 10-cell row, a clue of 9 can only slide by one cell, so at least eight cells in the middle must be filled. Add the numbers plus the minimum gaps between them. The smaller the leftover space, the more you can fill in.

Fill the overlap

If a run has room to slide, find the cells it covers in every possible position. In a 10-cell row with a clue of 7, the run could start at cell 1, 2, 3 or 4. Cells 4 to 7 are filled in all of those cases, so you can fill them straight away.

Mark empty cells

Don't only fill. Mark the cells you know are empty with an X or a dot. These marks stop you from making mistakes later. They also show exactly where the remaining runs can fit.

Work from the edges

If a row starts with a filled cell and the first clue is 3, the first three cells are filled and the fourth must be empty. Edges often give you easy progress.

Complete lines, then move on

When a line has all its runs placed, mark every other cell in it as empty. Then switch to a crossing line. Bouncing between rows and columns is how most puzzles open up.

Don't guess

If you're stuck, look at another line rather than gambling on a cell. A wrong guess can spread through the grid and be hard to find later. If you truly can't see a move, a hint is better than a guess.

What are colour nonograms?

In a classic nonogram, every cell is either filled or empty. A colour nonogram adds a palette. The clues are coloured too, and each run has to match its shade.

This adds a new layer. Two runs of different colours might touch with no gap, while two runs of the same colour need an empty cell between them. The pictures also look richer because they can use several colours instead of one.

If you're new, get comfortable with classic black-and-white logic first, then try colour once the basic overlap method feels natural.

Where Nonogram Puzzles: Color Logic fits

If you want to put these tips into practice on your phone, Nonogram Puzzles: Color Logic is a calm picture-logic game built around exactly this idea. Here's what the store listing says it offers:

• 120 handcrafted levels across 10 themed islands, from small starter grids to big, detailed finales.
• Every level open from the start, so you can jump to whatever you feel like solving.
• Colour puzzles, where clues are coloured and each run must match its shade.
• Simple controls: tap a cell to fill it, or drag along a row or column to paint a whole run in one sweep.
• X and dot tools for marking cells you know are empty, plus undo and level restart.
• Hint Brushes for stubborn lines. You get 3 free every day, and you can get more with Pigments or by choosing to watch a rewarded ad.
• A Gallery and an atelier: finished pictures are framed, and you spend Pigments, the in-game coins you earn by solving, to restore the rooms of your atelier.
• A daily puzzle with a forgiving streak, star ratings, and a freeze boost to protect your streak.
• Colourblind mode, and sound and haptics settings you can switch off.
• Fully offline play, with no account or login. Progress is stored on your device.

On ads and purchases, the listing says there are no banners in the early levels and the first interstitial comes only after level 10. After that, ads appear at most once every four levels. Rewarded ads only play when you choose them. A one-time Remove Ads purchase removes the ads, and optional coin packs have fixed prices with nothing random.

FAQ

Are nonograms hard for beginners?

Not if you start small. Small grids teach you the core ideas, like overlap and marking empty cells, without much to track. Larger grids use the same methods with more lines. Game levels that begin with starter grids and build up are a gentle way in.

Do I need to guess in a nonogram?

No. A well-made nonogram can be solved by logic alone. If you feel you must guess, look for another row or column that gives you a new certain cell. Using a hint is better than risking a wrong fill.

Can I play nonograms offline?

Yes, many nonogram games work without a connection. Nonogram Puzzles: Color Logic is listed as fully offline, with no account or login, so it suits flights and commutes.

Ready to reveal your first picture? Try Nonogram Puzzles: Color Logic on Google Play.