How to solve a logic grid puzzle
A logic grid puzzle is solved by crossing out every pairing the clues rule out until only one match is left, so you never need to guess. Start with a clue that points straight at one answer, mark it, and let the grid cross out the rest.
- How it works
- You get two or more lists, such as people and pets, and a set of clues. Each person gets exactly one pet and no two share. The grid records what you know.
- How long
- The example below takes a minute or two. Mini Lineup takes about a minute, and Morning Mysteries a few minutes, up to about ten on the hardest days.
- Cost
- Free, in any browser, no app or account.
Free · no sign-up · plays in your browser
The example
Four friends, Ana, Ben, Cy and Dee, each own one pet: a cat, a dog, a fish or a parrot. Nobody shares. Three clues:
- Ana's pet has no fur.
- Ben's pet has feathers.
- Dee does not own the dog.
Who owns what? Draw a grid with the people down the side and the pets across the top. A cross means ruled out. A dot means confirmed.
Step 1: use the clue that rules things out
Clue 1 says Ana's pet has no fur, so it is neither the cat nor the dog. Cross both off in Ana's row.
| Cat | Dog | Fish | Parrot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana | ✕ | ✕ | ||
| Ben | ||||
| Cy | ||||
| Dee |
Step 2: use the clue that names an answer
Clue 2 says Ben's pet has feathers, and only the parrot does. Put a dot in Ben's row under Parrot. Because each person has one pet and no two share, cross off the rest of Ben's row and the rest of the Parrot column. That leaves Ana with a single open square: the fish.
| Cat | Dog | Fish | Parrot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
| Ben | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ● |
| Cy | ✕ | |||
| Dee | ✕ |
Step 3: keep going until the grid is full
Ana has the fish, so cross fish off for Cy and Dee. Cy and Dee are left with the cat and the dog. Clue 3 says Dee does not own the dog, so Dee has the cat and Cy has the dog. Three clues, four answers, no guessing.
| Cat | Dog | Fish | Parrot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana | ✕ | ✕ | ● | ✕ |
| Ben | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ● |
| Cy | ✕ | ● | ✕ | ✕ |
| Dee | ● | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Habits that make it easier
- Cross things out, not only in. Most dots appear because the crosses around them ran out of room.
- Start with the most definite clue. A clue that names one person and one fact beats a vague one.
- Go back to unused clues. When you are stuck, one clue you have not used usually holds the next step.
- Never guess. A good puzzle can always be solved by elimination. If you are about to guess, you have missed a clue.
Where to practice
Mini Lineup is a small daily version that takes about a minute. Morning Mysteries is the full version, in five styles, with a hint button that adds time but never blocks you. For the definition, see logic grid puzzle in the glossary.
Common questions
Do I ever have to guess in a logic grid puzzle?
No. A well-made one can always be solved by elimination. If you feel you must guess, look for a clue you have not used.
Where do I start?
With the clue that names one person and one fact. Mark it, and let the one-pet-each rule cross off the rest of the row and column.
How long does a logic puzzle take?
Beginner puzzles take a few minutes. Mini Lineup takes about a minute, and Morning Mysteries usually a few minutes, up to about ten on the hardest days.
What if I get stuck?
Re-read the clues you have not used yet. In Morning Mysteries you can ask for a hint, which adds time to your score but lets you finish.
Is it free?
Yes. The daily logic puzzles are free in any browser, with no app and no account.
Keep going
- Logic grid puzzle, defined
- The best daily logic puzzles to play online
- Games like LinkedIn Zip, Queens and Tango
- All free games
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