About Nonogram 5×5
A nonogram is a picture logic puzzle, also sold under names such as picross and griddlers. The clues tell you how many squares to shade in each line, and the skill lies in working out exactly where. This five by five version is the friendliest way to learn.
How it works
Take a row with the clue "3". Somewhere in its five squares is one unbroken run of three shaded squares, and the other two are empty. A clue of "1 1" means two single shaded squares with at least one gap between them. A "0" means the line is empty.
Columns work the same way, reading from top to bottom. A clue turns green as soon as its line matches, which is a helpful check, though a line can match by accident while still being wrong for the lines that cross it.
Solving tips
Start with the big numbers. A "5" fills its whole line. A "4" leaves one empty square at either end, so the middle three are certainly shaded. A "3" always covers the centre square.
Clues that add up to the full width are just as generous. "3 1" and "1 3", "2 2" and "1 1 1" each fit in only one way.
Use the crosses. Marking squares you know are empty is half the puzzle, because it shortens the space the remaining runs can sit in.
Then switch direction. Every square you settle in a row is new information for its column.
If you enjoy this HTML5 game, larger nonograms use exactly the same logic. Only the patience required changes.