Pattern Puzzle Online
Pattern is one of the classic one-player logic games in Simon Tatham's Portable Puzzle Collection. Fill in the pattern in the grid, given only the lengths of runs of black squares.
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Preparing the game board and controls.
Game Objective
Reveal the hidden black-and-white picture. The numbers beside a row or column describe the black groups in order: for example, 3 1 means a group of three black squares, then at least one white square, then a single black square.
Fill in the pattern in the grid, given only the lengths of runs of black squares.
How to Play
Left-click a square to mark it black. Right-click, or Ctrl-left-click, to mark it white. Middle-click, or Shift-left-click, to return a square to undecided. Drag along a row or column to mark several squares at once.
These puzzles reward careful deduction more than speed. Start with the most constrained clues, eliminate impossible choices step by step, and avoid guessing unless the puzzle specifically calls for it.
Beginner Tips
- Numbers must stay in order. A row clue of 2 3 cannot be solved as 3 then 2.
- Separate black groups need at least one white square between them.
- Mark confirmed white squares too; they show where black groups cannot extend.
Official Rules
For the full original rules, examples, and advanced options, read Simon Tatham's official manual.
Read the official manualFrequently Asked Questions
More Logic Collection Games
Pearl
Draw a single closed loop, given clues about corner and straight squares.
Pegs
Jump pegs over each other to remove all but one.
Range
Place black squares to limit the visible distance from each numbered cell.
Rectangles
Divide the grid into rectangles with areas equal to the numbers.
Same Game
Clear the grid by removing touching groups of the same colour squares.
Signpost
Connect the squares into a path following the arrows.
Singles
Black out the right set of duplicate numbers.
Sixteen
Slide a row at a time to arrange the tiles into order.