How to play Nonogram
Take a little time to learn the rules. Every move gets clearer with practice.
Use row and column clues to reveal a black-and-white pixel pattern. Fill, mark and undo at your own pace. This guide explains the rules and the decisions that matter while you play.
Play Nineleaf Nonogram →How to play Nonogram
- 01
Each clue lists the lengths of filled runs, in their displayed order.
- 02
Separate neighboring runs in the same row or column by at least one empty cell.
- 03
Mark cells you have proved empty as well as cells you have proved filled.
- 04
Satisfy every row and column clue to finish the pattern.
Nonogram: player questions
What does a clue such as 2 3 mean?
That line contains a run of two filled cells, then at least one empty cell, then a run of three filled cells. Other cells in the line are empty.
Can two runs touch?
Runs listed separately must have at least one empty cell between them. If they touched, they would form one longer run.
Do clues tell me where a run starts?
Not directly. Compare the available space and intersect deductions from the row and column.
How does overlap help?
Imagine the earliest and latest positions of a long run. Cells covered in both positions must be filled.
Why should I mark empty cells?
Empty marks establish boundaries and make it easier to see which spaces a remaining run can occupy.
Do I need to mark every blank?
Yes. This player distinguishes unknown cells from cells deliberately marked empty, so finish both types of marking.
Will every puzzle reveal an animal or object?
Generated practice boards can be abstract pixel patterns. The goal is to deduce the pattern from clues rather than guess a picture.
How do I mark an empty cell on a phone?
Choose the alternate-action mode before touching cells. Switch back to primary action to fill cells.
Can I change a mistaken mark?
Use Undo or cycle the cell back to unknown. Mistakes are reversible and do not consume lives.
Which size is best for a first game?
Begin with 5×5. Move to 10×10 or 15×15 when you are comfortable combining clues from both directions.
Nineleaf edition by Good Game Daily. Puzzle engine by Simon Tatham and contributors, used under the MIT license. Original project ↗