How to play Nonogram
A nonogram, also called Griddlers or Picross, is a picture puzzle on a grid. The numbers beside each row and column give the lengths of the black blocks in that line, in order, with at least one empty square between blocks. Fill the squares that must be black, and a hidden drawing appears.
The rules of nonograms
- Look at the numbers at the start of a row or column. Each number is the length of one block of black squares in that line.
- The blocks appear in the same order as the numbers, and at least one empty square separates two blocks.
- Tap a square once to fill it, tap again to put a cross (the square stays empty) and tap a third time to clear it.
- Some squares are already filled in when you start. Those are fixed and cannot be changed.
- When every square is right, a drawing appears, and at the end you can colour it in.
The numbers 3 1 mean one block of three squares, then at least one gap, then a single black square, and nothing else in that line.
How to solve a nonogram
Three simple ideas are enough to get started. Switch between rows and columns often, because every square you fill helps the line that crosses it.
Use the overlap
When a block is longer than half of its line, some squares are certain. Take a line of 10 squares with the number 7. Pushed all the way left, the block covers squares 1 to 7; pushed all the way right, it covers 4 to 10. Squares 4 to 7 are black either way, so you can fill them straight away.
Look for a full line
Add up all the numbers of a line and add one gap between each pair. If the total equals the length of the line, the blocks can only sit in one place. With 5 4 in a line of 10 squares, 5 + 1 + 4 = 10, so the whole line is known.
Cross out the empty squares
Once a block is complete, put a cross at both of its ends. A cross is a reminder that this square stays empty. In Vellara you place it with the second tap, and the square still counts as empty. If a black square sits at the edge and the first number is 3, fill the first three squares and cross the fourth.
Playing Nonogram in Vellara
In Vellara the numbers sit at the edges of the grid and a picture hides inside it. Tap a square to fill it, tap again for a cross and a third time to clear it. Nonogram comes in five levels, so you can start gently and move up when you are ready.
- One square, three states: tap to fill, tap again for a cross, tap a third time to clear it.
- A cross keeps a square empty, so you can mark what you already know without filling anything by mistake.
- Some squares are filled in from the start. Those are fixed.
- Fill everything correctly and a drawing appears. At the end you can colour it in.
- No time pressure: a clock runs along, but you can take as long as you like.
Questions about nonograms
Are nonograms, Griddlers and Picross the same thing?
Yes. They are different names for the same kind of puzzle: numbers at the edges tell you which squares to fill until a picture appears. Vellara calls it Nonogram.
Do you have to guess in a nonogram?
A well-made nonogram can be solved by logic alone. If one row will not give way, move to a column: a square you fill there often supplies the missing clue.
What do several numbers next to each other mean?
Each number is a separate block of black squares, in the order shown. Between two blocks there is at least one empty square, but the numbers do not say how many.
What are the crosses for?
A cross marks a square that must stay empty. It is only a reminder, and the square counts as empty.
Is Nonogram in Vellara free?
Yes. Vellara is free to download, needs no account and works offline.
Play Nonogram free in Vellara
Vellara is calm, free and works offline. It sends no notifications and puts no time pressure on you.
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