▦ Nonogram Coach

Nonogram guide

Nonogram Rules for Beginners

Learn the basic rules of nonograms: row clues, column clues, filled cells, empty marks, and why guessing is not required.

Quick answer

A nonogram is solved by using the number clues on each row and column to prove which cells must be filled and which must be empty. The goal is to reveal a hidden picture without guessing.

Search intent: Beginner rules query for players searching nonogram, picross, picture cross, or picture logic rules.

What the numbers mean

A clue like 4 means there is one run of four filled cells in that row or column.

A clue like 2 1 means two filled cells, then at least one empty cell, then one filled cell.

What counts as a safe move

A safe move is a fill or X mark that must be true in every possible placement of the clue.

Good nonogram solving alternates between rows and columns as each mark creates new evidence.

Why Calm Nonogram Coach helps

The app highlights the next logical place to look and explains why the move is safe, so beginners learn the pattern instead of copying an answer.

Practice this in the app

Practice the rules in Calm Nonogram Coach with guided beginner boards.