Frequently asked questions

About the impossible puzzle

The Impossible Puzzle is a free online jigsaw with a single image: an almost uniform blue sky cut into 96 pieces. It belongs to the family of monochrome puzzles, where there is no picture to guide you and the shape of each piece is your only clue.

It is a puzzle challenge you can play in your browser, on a computer or a phone, with no account and nothing to install. Stop whenever you like, get a score card, and send it to a friend who thinks they are good at brain teasers.

Frequently asked questions

Is the impossible puzzle really impossible?

Not technically: every piece has exactly one place. But the sky is almost uniform, so there are almost no visual clues. Only the shape of the pieces can help you.

How does the score work?

The timer starts when you touch your first piece. When you want to stop, click "Share your score" to get an image to send to your friends.

Is it free?

Yes. Free, no sign-up, directly in your browser, on computer or phone.

What is a monochrome puzzle?

A monochrome puzzle is a jigsaw whose image is a single colour, or nearly. With no pattern to recognise, you can only rely on the shape of the pieces. The Impossible Puzzle is an online version: a plain blue sky.

How do you solve a hard puzzle like this?

You have one clue: the shape of the pieces. Study the edges and the notches, join pieces in pairs, then bring the small groups together. There is no trick, which is what makes it so hard for adults and kids alike.

Is there a puzzle with no picture to guide you?

Yes, this is one: a blue sky puzzle without clues. Because the image is almost a single colour, the only way to match pieces is by their shape. This kind of jigsaw is sometimes called a monochrome or one-colour puzzle.

Is it a good brain teaser for adults?

It is a hard puzzle for adults and a fun online brain teaser for a break: short, free, and easy to start but very hard to finish. Kids can play too, though the 96 small pieces take patience.