Nonogram

Officially Nonogram (Picross / Griddler / Hanjie / Paint by Numbers)

Grid logic puzzle — fill cells based on numeric row/column clues to reveal hidden picture. Invented independently 1987 by Non Ishida (Japanese graphic editor) + Tetsuya Nishio (Japanese puzzler). Made global by Nintendo's PICROSS video games (1995+). 100M+ Picross games sold; standard NYT Sunday Games feature.

📐grid (typically 5×5 to 30×30)⏱~30 min🌤indoor

What is Nonogram?

Nonograms are grid logic puzzles where solvers fill cells based on numeric clues along rows + columns to reveal a hidden pixel-art picture. INVENTED INDEPENDENTLY 1987 by NON ISHIDA (Japanese graphic editor, published in Communications Design) + TETSUYA NISHIO (Japanese puzzle author). Ishida coined 'nonogram' from her own name. Cross-pollinated in Japan 1988-1990. GLOBAL POPULARITY via Nintendo's PICROSS game series (1995+, Game Boy + DS + 3DS + Switch, 100M+ copies sold). Also called: PICROSS (Nintendo brand), GRIDDLER (British), HANJIE (Chinese/UK), PAINT BY NUMBERS, PIC-A-PIX. GAMEPLAY: (1) GRID (typically 5×5 to 30×30+). (2) NUMBERS along top of each column + left of each row indicate consecutive filled cells. (3) '3 2' = block of 3 filled cells, then GAP, then block of 2 filled cells. (4) Order in numbers = order in row/column. (5) BLANK cell = between blocks (unspecified size). (6) Solver uses LOGIC to determine which cells are filled vs empty. (7) When complete, reveals HIDDEN PIXEL PICTURE. TECHNIQUES: (1) OVERLAP method — long clue extending nearly full row forces middle cells filled. (2) SIMPLE BOX — clue count = row size means all filled. (3) EXCLUSION — mark definite empty cells with X. (4) EDGE LOGIC — clues at row start constrain first cells. (5) CROSS-REFERENCE — row + column clues intersect. NO GUESSING required for well-designed puzzles; pure logic. VARIANTS: (1) BLACK & WHITE (standard). (2) COLOR NONOGRAMS (multiple colors, different rules). (3) MULTIDIMENSIONAL (5D nonograms — rare). MEDIA: Nintendo Picross (2007+ Nintendo DS revival), NYT Games includes Nonograms, iOS/Android app abundance, Nonograms.org online free.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Fill all correct cells based on row + column clues to reveal hidden picture.

Match structure

Solo; some timed competitive events online.

Rules

Basic rules

Numbers along top + left of grid
Each row + column has sequence of numbers indicating consecutive filled cells.
'3 2' = block of 3, gap, block of 2
Sequence order matters; gap size between blocks unspecified but at least 1 cell.
Fill cells using logic
Use both row + column clues to deduce definite filled + empty cells.
Mark empty cells with X
Tracking known empty cells simplifies remaining logic.
No guessing required for well-designed puzzles
Pure logic solvable; if forced to guess, puzzle is poorly designed.
Complete reveals hidden picture
Filled cells form pixel art image.

Advanced rules

Overlap technique
Clue nearly filling row forces middle cells filled. Example: 10×10 row with '7' clue means at minimum cells 4-7 filled (7 pushed left + 7 pushed right overlap).
Simple box + edge logic
Clue count = row size means all filled. Clue at start '5' in 10-cell row means cells 1-5 possible; must be filled if no smaller clues.
Cross-reference between rows + columns
Fill definite cells from one clue set + use those to constrain other.
Color nonograms
Multiple colors in single grid; more complex but similar logic. Nintendo Picross series has color variants.
Speed nonogram
Timed competitive solving; apps track best times.
Design elegance
Well-designed nonograms have unique logical solutions + reveal recognizable pictures.
Nintendo Picross series
Mario's Picross (1995), Picross DS (2007), Picross e series (2013+), Picross S series (2017+ Switch); 30+ titles; 100M+ copies sold.

Scoring

Casual: solve = success. Competitive: fastest time.

Action	Points
Solve puzzle	Success + reveal picture
Competitive time	Fastest = winner
Mistake penalty (in apps)	Time added or level-fail

Win condition · Fill all cells correctly to reveal complete picture.

Playing area

Called

grid (typically 5×5 to 30×30)

Dimensions

Small: 5×5 to 10×10. Medium: 15×15 to 20×20. Large: 25×25 to 30×30. Extreme: 50×50+.

Rectangular grid with numeric clues along top + left.

Equipment

Nonogram book or magazine
$5-20; hundreds of puzzles per book.
Digital nonogram app
Nintendo Picross series ($10-30 per game); mobile apps (Nonogram, Picross) free/paid.
Pen + pencil (paper solving)
Pencil for uncertainty, X marks for empty cells.
Nonograms.org (free web)
Thousands of free puzzles online.

Officiating

Casual solo game; no governing body.

No formal officiating

Strategies

Start with obvious lines
Rows/columns where clue equals width = all filled. Clues that nearly fill row use overlap technique.
Mark X for known empty cells
Empty cells constrain remaining logic; don't leave blank.
Cross-reference constantly
Fill from row clues → check what column clues now enable.
Overlap method for long clues
'7' in 10-cell row = middle 4 cells (4,5,6,7) definitely filled.
Use pencil for uncertainty
Erase mistakes; ink final answers.
Play Nintendo Picross series
Excellent mobile + Switch experience; 30+ games, thousands of puzzles.
Nonograms.org free
Thousands of free puzzles online; browser-based solving.
No guessing rule
Well-designed puzzles solvable by pure logic; if forced to guess, puzzle is broken.
Progress difficulty gradually
Master 10×10 before 15×15; incremental improvement.

Terminology

Nonogram: Grid logic puzzle with numeric row/column clues.
Picross: Nintendo's brand of nonogram video games (1995+).
Griddler / Hanjie: British + Chinese names for nonogram.
Paint by numbers: Descriptive alternate name (fill cells to make picture).
Clue: Numbers along top + left indicating consecutive filled cells.
Block: Sequence of consecutive filled cells.
Gap: Empty cells between blocks (unspecified size, min 1).
Overlap technique: Long clue nearly filling row forces middle cells filled.
X mark: Marker for known empty cell.
Cross-reference: Using both row + column clues together for logic.
No-guess rule: Well-designed nonograms solvable by pure logic without guessing.
Color nonogram: Variant with multiple colors instead of black/white.
Reveal picture: Completed puzzle shows pixel-art image.

Major competitions

No formal championships; online leaderboards
ongoing · worldwide via apps · since 2000
Nintendo Picross app leaderboards
ongoing · worldwide · since 2007

Where it is played

Governing bodies

No formal federation
N/A
Nintendo (Picross series publisher)
Founded 1889 · Kyoto, Japan

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Non Ishida (Japan) — Co-invented nonogram 1987; coined term from her name
Tetsuya Nishio (Japan) — Independently invented nonogram 1987
Nintendo — Publisher of Picross game series (1995+, 100M+ copies)
Various online nonogram community members with top solve times

Records

Nonogram invention
Non Ishida + Tetsuya Nishio — 1987 Japan (dual independent invention) (1987)
First Nintendo Picross
Nintendo (Mario's Picross) — 1995 Game Boy (1995)
Picross series total sales
Nintendo — 100M+ copies across 30+ titles (2024)
Nintendo DS revival
Nintendo (Picross DS) — 2007 major revival (2007)
Fastest 15×15 online
Various online solvers — Under 3 minutes (2020)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Solve 5×5 + 10×10 puzzles
Learn basic logic + clue interpretation.
2
Play Nintendo Picross e series ($5)
Excellent tutorial + hundreds of puzzles.
3
Nonograms.org free web puzzles
Thousands of free puzzles browser-based.

intermediate

1
Master overlap + cross-reference techniques
Advanced logic makes larger puzzles feasible.
2
Solve 15×15 + 20×20
Longer puzzles; 20-45 min each.
3
Try color nonograms
Multi-color adds complexity + variety.

advanced

1
25×25 + 30×30 mega-nonograms
1-8 hour solves; extreme concentration.
2
Speed solving competitions
Timed events + leaderboards on apps.
3
Nintendo Picross S Switch series
Latest platform + newest puzzle collections.

Frequently asked

What is a nonogram?+

Grid logic puzzle where solvers fill cells based on numeric clues along rows + columns to reveal hidden pixel-art picture. Clues like '3 2' = block of 3 filled cells, gap, block of 2. Solver uses LOGIC to determine which cells filled vs empty. Well-designed nonograms solvable by pure logic without guessing. Also called: Picross (Nintendo brand), Griddler, Hanjie, Paint by Numbers, Pic-a-Pix. Invented 1987 Japan by Non Ishida (coined 'nonogram' from her name) + Tetsuya Nishio independently. Popularized globally via Nintendo Picross video games (1995+, 100M+ copies sold).

How do you solve nonograms?+

TECHNIQUES: (1) SIMPLE — clue count = row size means all filled. (2) OVERLAP — long clue in narrow row forces middle cells. '7' clue in 10-cell row = cells 4-7 definitely filled. (3) EDGE LOGIC — clue at row start constrains first cells. (4) CROSS-REFERENCE — fill from row clue → check column clues → back to rows. (5) X for empty — mark known empty cells to constrain remaining logic. (6) NO GUESSING — pure logic solvable; if you must guess, puzzle is poorly designed. TIP: start with obvious lines, work outward, cross-reference constantly. Master 10×10 before 15×15.

What is Picross?+

Nintendo's brand of nonogram video games. First title MARIO'S PICROSS (1995, Game Boy). Series expanded to Nintendo DS (Picross DS, 2007), 3DS (Picross e series 2013+), Switch (Picross S series 2017+). 30+ titles total; 100M+ copies sold. Features hundreds of puzzles per game; hint systems; visual reveal animations. Standard: black/white grids. Some titles add COLOR PICROSS or 3D PICROSS. Considered gold standard mobile puzzle experience. Alternatives: iOS/Android nonogram apps (many free), online at Nonograms.org.

Nonogram vs Sudoku — what's the difference?+

BOTH grid logic puzzles solvable by pure deduction. NONOGRAM: (1) NUMERIC CLUES along rows/columns indicate FILLED CELLS. (2) REVEALS pixel-art picture when complete. (3) Cells are filled/empty (binary). (4) Grid sizes 5×5 to 30×30+. (5) INVENTED 1987 Japan. SUDOKU: (1) NUMBERS 1-9 filled in cells. (2) Each row/column/3×3 box contains 1-9 exactly once. (3) Cells hold numbers, not just filled/empty. (4) Grid always 9×9 standard. (5) POPULARIZED 2004 UK Times newspaper (invented 1979 USA). Both excellent brain training. Nonogram more visual (picture reveal); Sudoku more numerical. Personal preference; try both.

What are the best nonogram apps?+

TOP CHOICES: (1) NINTENDO PICROSS S series (Switch, $10 each) — highest quality; 300-500 puzzles per title. (2) PICROSS E series (Nintendo 3DS, $5 each) — legacy but excellent. (3) NONOGRAMS BY EASYBRAIN (iOS/Android, free with ads) — thousands of puzzles; most-downloaded nonogram app. (4) LOGIC PIC (iOS/Android, free) — clean interface; daily puzzles. (5) HUNGRY CAT PICROSS (iOS/Android, free) — themed collections. (6) NONOGRAMS.ORG (free web) — thousands of puzzles browser-based; classic UI. WEB: Puzzle-nonograms.com, nonograms.org free. Choose based on platform + preference for gameplay style. All excellent for daily puzzle practice.

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Nonogram— Wikipedia
Nonograms.org— Nonograms.org

Last verified 2026-08-25.verified