Filling Puzzle Online

Filling is one of the classic one-player logic games in Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection. Mark every square with the area of its containing region.

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Preparing the game board and controls.

What This Game Is

Filling is a self-contained logic puzzle built around one clear objective. Each new board gives you a fresh problem to solve, so it works well for quick sessions and repeated play.

Mark every square with the area of its containing region.

How to Play

To play Filling, simply click the mouse in any empty square and then type a digit on the keyboard to fill that square. By dragging the mouse, you can select multiple squares to fill with a single keypress. If you make a mistake, click the mouse in the incorrect square and press 0, Space, Backspace or Enter to clear it again (or use the Undo feature). You can also move around the grid with the cursor keys; typing a digit will fill the square containing the cursor with that number; typing 0 will clear it. You can also select multiple squares for numbering or clearing with the return and arrow keys, before typing a digit to fill or clear the highlighted squares (as above). The space bar adds and removes single squares to and from the selection. Escape removes all squares from the selection.

Most puzzles in this collection reward deduction more than speed. Focus on the most limited choices first, use the clues to narrow the board, and avoid guesses unless the puzzle mode clearly expects them.

Beginner Tips

  • Start with the area that has the strongest clue or the fewest legal options.
  • Use marks, notes, or temporary indicators if the puzzle supports them.
  • Try to preserve flexibility instead of committing too early when multiple moves look possible.
  • If the board gets messy, restart a fresh puzzle and apply what you learned from the first run.

Official Reference

If you want the full original rule explanation, examples, and advanced options, the official manual is the best reference.

Read the official manual

Frequently Asked Questions