How to play tangram, with tips
Everything you need, in order, with pictures. About three minutes to read - then play free in your browser.
- What is a tangram?
- The seven pieces
- The rules
- Controls
- Stars and medals
- Ways to play
- How to solve
- Questions
1What is a tangram?
A square cut into seven pieces, which you rearrange to make the shape of a silhouette. Because you solve it from the silhouette alone, it is also called a silhouette puzzle.
The silhouette shows no lines between the pieces. Working out which piece goes where is the whole fun of it.
Where does it come from?
The tangram was born in China, where it is called qiqiaoban (七巧板, "seven boards of skill"). Early in the 19th century it travelled by ship to Europe and America and became a craze. Japan has a close cousin from the 18th century, the Sei Shōnagon Chie-no-ita.
From what age?
Moving the pieces about to make shapes is fun from about 3 or 4. Solving a silhouette comes at about 5 or 6, and the ★4 and ★5 shapes make adults stop and think too. The stages start at ★1, so there is always something the right size.
What does it teach?
Turning and flipping pieces in your head builds spatial sense. Two small triangles make the square, two squares' worth make a big triangle - the same ideas as shapes and area in school maths.
2The seven pieces
All drawn to the same scale. Call the small triangle "1", and the others are so many of it.
- Big triangle×2 · size 4
- Middle triangle×1 · size 2
- Small triangle×2 · size 1
- Square×1 · size 2
- Parallelogram×1 · size 2
3The rules
- Use all seven piecesA piece left over means it is not finished.
- No overlapping, nothing sticking outPieces may not lie on each other or outside the silhouette.
- Turn and flip as you likeThere is not always only one answer: any way that fills the silhouette exactly is right.
4Controls
| To | Phone / tablet | PC |
|---|---|---|
| Move | Drag with a finger | Drag with the mouse / arrow keys |
| Turn 45° | Tap the piece / the turn buttons (either way) | Click the piece / Q and E |
| Flip | Double-tap the parallelogram / the Flip button | Double-click / F |
| Pick a piece | Touch it | Tab |
| Start over | Press Restart twice: every piece goes back to the tray | |
A corner that comes near a corner of the silhouette or of another piece snaps onto it. Roughly in place is enough.
5Stars and medals
Difficulty (★1 to ★5)
Every shape has a difficulty. Shapes with arms and corners are easier; compact shapes are harder.
| ★★★★★ ★★★★★ | Easy for a first go |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ | Normal a little thinking |
| ★★★★★ ★★★★★ | Hard compact shapes, like a rectangle or a hexagon |
Medals (three a stage)
| First | Solve it |
|---|---|
| Second | Solve it with no hints |
| Third | Solve it within the target time (1 minute at ★1, 4 minutes at ★5) |
Hints
"Hint" lights up where one missing piece goes. Use as many as you like (on today's puzzle each adds 30 seconds).
6Ways to play
Today's puzzle
- The same puzzle for everyone, new at midnight Japan time
- The server keeps the clock
- Your first solve of the day goes on the ranking
- Come every day and your streak grows
Stages
- 500 shapes in 12 chapters: animals, birds, sea life, people, sports, vehicles, things, seasons, fantasy, letters & numbers, shapes, and the challenge
- Start anywhere
- Filter by ★
- Shapes you solve go into your sticker album
Solving earns experience, and your level rises across the whole Puzzle Lounge.
7How to solve
- Start with the two big trianglesLook for the widest parts and the big sharp corners of the silhouette, and put the big triangles there first. With them in place, the rest comes much more easily.
- Read the cornersA 90° corner takes a triangle's right angle or the square; a 45° corner takes a triangle's sharp point or the parallelogram.
- Thin parts take small piecesNecks, tails and legs are made of the small triangles or the parallelogram.
- Doesn't fit? Flip itIf the parallelogram is the right shape but the wrong way round, turn it over.
- Stuck? Move a big pieceWhen the last piece will not go in, a big piece you placed first is usually a little off.
8Questions
Can pieces overlap?
No. All seven lie flat, side by side, and fill the silhouette exactly.
Is there only one answer?
Not always. Any way that fills the silhouette exactly is right.
Can I flip a piece?
Yes, though only the parallelogram changes when flipped. Double-tap it or press Flip.
How do I get on today's ranking?
Your first solve of the day goes on it. Each hint adds 30 seconds. Sign in to the Puzzle Lounge to show your name.
From what age can children play?
From about 3 or 4 as a game of making shapes, and from about 5 or 6 solving silhouettes. The stages go from ★1 (easy) to ★5 (hard).
Can I see the answers?
While playing, "Hint" lights up where a missing piece goes, one at a time. Every puzzle's answer is also on the list of puzzles.
Can I print them?
Yes. Print and play has the pieces to cut out (an 8 cm square) and puzzle sheets - four to a page, full size to lay the pieces on, and the answers - all free.
Do I need an app?
No. It plays in the browser on phones, tablets and PCs.
Is it free? Do I have to sign up?
Free, with no sign-up and nothing to download. Your record stays in this browser; sign in to carry it to other devices.
See all 500 puzzles, with answers →
Print the pieces and puzzle sheets →
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