Nonogram Arena: Griddlers

Nonogram Arena turns numbers into pictures. Read the clues, work out which squares must be filled, and watch a hidden image appear one deduction at a time — then race someone else doing the same thing.

HOW TO PLAY

Each row and column has a set of numbers beside it. Those numbers tell you the runs of filled squares in that line, in order, with at least one empty square between them.

A clue of "4 2" means four filled squares in a row, then a gap, then two more. Where the runs have to sit, and where they cannot possibly fit, is something you can always work out — you never have to guess.

Fill the squares you are sure about and cross out the ones you have ruled out. Narrowing down what is empty is half the solve. Every puzzle has exactly one solution, and a picture waiting at the end of it.

Grids run from a gentle 5x5 you can finish on a coffee break up to a 20x20 that will keep you busy for a while.

THE DAILY PUZZLE

One grid, the same for everyone, every day. Solve it to build your streak and come back tomorrow to keep it going. Miss a day and the count starts over.

CLIMB THE TOWER

Work up floor by floor. The grids get bigger and the clues get tighter the higher you climb. See how far you can push it.

PLAY AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE

• Battles — race another player on the exact same grid in real time and watch their progress fill in beside yours. Or team up 2v2 and take on another pair.

• Co-op — solve one grid together with a friend, filling it in side by side.

• Friend challenges — send anyone a link to the exact grid you just solved and dare them to beat your time. The link works whether or not they already have the game.

CLIMB THE RANKS

Every grid you finish pays out coins. Your lifetime total is your level — work up through the rank tiers and see where you land on the leaderboard against everyone else playing.

MAKE IT YOURS

Unlock colour themes and grid styles as you play, and set things up the way you like them — including the marking shortcuts that keep the larger grids comfortable to solve on a phone.

START WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT

The daily puzzle and solo play work the moment you open the app. No account, no email address, nothing to fill in. Create an account when you want leaderboards, live battles and friend challenges — and to keep your progress backed up rather than sitting on one device.

WHAT YOU GET

• A fresh daily nonogram with streak tracking

• Tower mode with steadily harder grids

• Real-time 1v1 and 2v2 battles

• Co-op solving with a friend

• Shareable friend challenges

• Global leaderboards, levels and rank tiers

• Unlockable themes and grid styles

• Twelve grid sizes from 5x5 up to 20x20

• Guest play with no sign-up required

If you know these as griddlers, hanjie, paint by numbers or Japanese crosswords, you already know what you are in for. If you have never tried one, start at 5x5 — the logic teaches itself, and it gets addictive fast.

Daily puzzle duels. Climb the ranks.