Picture Cross, sometimes known as 'Picross', 'Nonograms' or 'Griddlers', are classic logic puzzles where you must use the number clues provided to fill in squares to paint a picture.

 

If you're new to Picture Cross / nonogram puzzles, we've created a brief video guide which explains the basic techniques and walks you through solving a puzzle:

 

 

 

(If the captions don't appear, tap the ⚙️ icon on the video to select playback options.)

 

Deduce which squares should be filled by using the number clues at the beginning of each column/row.

 

The clues list the number of unbroken groups of filled squares that should be entered on that line, with at least one blank square between each group. However they don't specify the number of empty squares that may appear before, after or between each group.

 

Start by filling in the squares that logically must be filled for the clue to be valid - for instance, if the puzzle grid is 10x10 squares wide, a clue of '10' indicates all the squares on that line are filled, and a clue of e.g. '7,2' has only one valid solution (7 filled squares + 1 blank square + 2 filled squares = 10).

 

You can mark squares that you have deduced are certain to be unfilled with an 'X', by selecting the 'X' button below the grid. Each line that is solved (or partially solved) provides new information for solving the lines perpendicular to it.

 

You should never need to guess an answer - doing so can make the puzzle harder to solve!

If you're stuck on a Picture Cross puzzle, you can use coins to buy hints.

 

Hints can be used by tapping on the relevant icon in the status bar area at the top of the screen.

 

The cost (in coins) to use each hint is printed under its icon.

 

 

If you're struggling to see a logical move to enter, use this hint. A row or column's clue will light up. Tap that clue and the game will automatically fill in all or part of that line, based on the information gained so far in the puzzle.

 

Please note that this often won't give the whole solution for a line - you may need to complete the rest as the remaining information becomes unambiguous, as surrounding cells are solved.

 

 

Use this hint to highlight all the cells with incorrect values.