GridPawPlay Nonogram Online — Free Picture Logic Puzzles
Nonogram is the paint-by-number member of the Japanese logic puzzle family: the clues count the filled blocks in every row and column, and the picture only appears when every line is true. Learn it in four guided lessons — each one reveals a cat — then clear an 11-level campaign and keep going with daily puzzles. Everything runs in your browser.
In a sums mood? Play Kakuro, our cross-sum game, free in your browser →
How to Play Nonogram in 3 Rules
- Numbers are block lengths. A clue like 3 1 means: a block of 3 filled cells, at least one gap, then a block of 1 — in that exact order along the line. Blocks never touch.
- Edge clues pin cells. A clue that touches the border forces cells immediately: 5 in a 5-wide line fills the whole line, and a 4 in a 5-wide line pins at least three cells no matter where it starts. Scan the borders first — they are free deductions.
- Cross the lines. Rows alone stall. Every filled cell you commit narrows the crossing column's options, and vice versa. Alternate between rows and columns and the picture resolves without guessing.
Every Level Reveals a Picture
Most Nonogram sites hand you anonymous grids. GridPaw levels are built around the reveal: the four tutorial lessons each uncover a cat, the campaign keeps the theme going, and the win screen replays your picture cell by cell. The reveal is the point — we made sure you can see it.
Every generated board is verified to have exactly one solution, and the Easy and Medium levels are additionally verified to be solvable by pure line logic alone — no guessing required. When you do get stuck, the hint button reveals one true cell and the message bar tells you where it sits.
Levels, Progress and Daily Puzzles
The campaign runs 4 tutorial lessons, then 11 levels: three Easy 5×5 boards, four Medium 10×10 boards and four Hard 15×15 boards. Your progress is saved in your browser, so you can leave and resume anytime. After the campaign, endless daily puzzles keep coming: a date-seeded board that is the same for every player on the same day, alternating Medium and Hard.
Nonogram FAQ
What is a Nonogram?
A Nonogram, also known as Picross or a paint-by-number puzzle, is a Japanese logic puzzle played on a grid. The numbers along each row and column are run lengths: they tell you the sizes of consecutive filled blocks in that line. Fill the right cells and a hidden picture emerges.
How do I play this Nonogram game?
Tap a cell once to fill it, again to mark it empty with an X, and again to clear it. Start from lines whose clues pin cells down immediately: a 5 clue in a 5-wide line fills the whole line, and a clue of 4 in a 5-wide line fills at least three cells. Cross-check rows against columns and the picture resolves itself.
What do I get when I solve a puzzle?
A picture. Every Nonogram hides an image in its filled cells, and GridPaw levels are themed: the tutorials and early campaign levels each reveal a cat. Solving the logic earns you the reveal, which is the moment Nonogram players come back for.
Is this Nonogram game free to play?
Yes. The tutorial, all 11 campaign levels and the daily puzzles are free in your browser with no download and no account. Hints come with a free allowance per level, and the current build does not charge anything.
Is Nonogram the same as Picross or Griddler?
Yes — Nonogram, Picross, Griddler, Paint by Numbers and Japanese Crosswords are all names for the same puzzle type. The name Picross is a trademark of Jupiter Corporation, so independent sites like GridPaw use the generic name Nonogram. The rules are identical.
More Logic Puzzles on GridPaw
- Kakuro (Cross Sums) — the mathematical crossword cousin.
- Akari (Light Up) — place lights, light every cell, obey the numbered walls.
- Japanese logic puzzles — the family Nonogram belongs to.
- Brain teasers for adults — warm up before the Hard levels.
Ready to paint? Play Shikaku on GridPaw →