About Picross
Picross is a nonogram — a logic puzzle where the picture is hidden in numbers. Beside every row and above every column stands a list of runs: the lengths of consecutive groups of filled squares, in order, always separated by at least one empty square. Combining what the rows demand with what the columns allow, you fill in the squares that must be painted and mark out the ones that cannot be.
There is no punishment for a wrong fill — you can undo it with another tap — but a row or column clue turns green the moment your current marks match it, which is usually all the feedback you need. Three hints per puzzle reveal one correct square. Solve the relaxed 5×5 board or the full 10×10, and your best time for each size is kept in this browser.
How to play
- Pick a board size from the menu, then tap squares to FILL them while in fill mode.
- Switch to MARK mode (the button below the header, the Space key, or right-click on desktop) to rule out squares you know are empty.
- A clue turns green when its row or column currently matches — use completed lines to constrain their neighbours.
- Press H for a hint (three per puzzle) and N for a new board. Fill only the correct squares to solve.
Tips & tricks
- Start from the longest runs: a clue matching the full row or column length is immediately paintable.
- Count from both ends — when the clue's total plus mandatory gaps reaches the line length, the overlaps are certain.
- Finished lines turn green; scan their neighbours for squares that are now the only possibility left.
- Use MARK freely: ruling out squares is as informative as filling them, and marks never count as mistakes.
Scoring & progression
- There is no point total. Completion is measured by having every required square filled and no extra squares filled.
- The timer records your solve time and keeps the best time for each board size separately, so the 5×5 and 10×10 records do not compete.
- Three hints are available per puzzle and each reveals one correct square; a hint does not invalidate the solve or the time record.
- Clearing every safe tile in Grid Clues reports a win to the portal; Picross instead keeps its own best-time records locally, with no XP or badge conversion.
Stages & bosses
- 5×5 board — the relaxed mode, with short clues and a small search space for learning the rules.
- 10×10 board — the full puzzle, where overlapping row and column runs have to be cross-checked.
- Hint budget — three reveals shared across the whole puzzle, usable at any point.
- Best time — one stored record per board size. There are no levels, waves, bosses or unlockable puzzles.
Frequently asked questions
What do the numbers mean?
Each list gives the lengths of consecutive groups of filled squares in that row or column, in order. A single 0 means the whole line is empty.
Can I make a mistake?
Yes, and nothing explodes — just tap the wrong square again to clear it. Only the final pattern matters: every correct square filled and no extras.
Is there a timer?
Yes, but it is friendly: it just records your best solve time for each board size so you can race yourself.
Version history
- November 13, 2026 — Guide expanded with the two board sizes, the hint budget and the per-size best-time records. No gameplay change.
- Current build — 5×5 and 10×10 nonograms, FILL and MARK modes, Space to switch, H for hints, N for a new board, three hints, local best times.
Play tips
Stay safe out there — no games while driving or crossing the street.
Mobile stuck on the PC version? In Chrome: ⋮ menu → uncheck "Desktop site" → refresh.
For best compatibility, use Chrome or Edge.
No full-screen, no sound, or a Unity not supported message? Use a tablet or PC.
Frozen, blank, or unresponsive? Refresh or reopen your browser; still stuck, try another game.
Right-click problems on Edge? Turn off "Enable mouse gestures" at edge://settings/mouseGesture.