Nurikabe Solving Tips
Nurikabe is a conversation between the islands and the wall: each forces the other. New here? Read the rules first.
1. Surround the 1s
An island of size 1 is already complete: every square around it is wall.
2. Separate the numbers
Two numbers can't share an island. A square adjacent to two different numbered regions must be wall.
3. Grow islands with one way out
If an island still needs squares and has only one empty neighbour, that neighbour is part of the island. Repeat.
4. No 2×2 wall
Three wall squares in a 2×2 force the fourth to be an island square; if it can't belong to any island, something else in the block is an island.
5. Keep the wall together
A wall square that would be cut off from the rest can't exist. Thin corridors of unknown squares often must be wall to keep the wall connected.
6. Count the wall
The wall has exactly (squares − sum of numbers) squares. When the count is nearly reached, every unknown square must be island, and vice versa.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start a Nurikabe puzzle?
With the 1s: an island of one is complete, so all four neighbours are wall. Then look for two numbers that are two squares apart: the square between them must be wall, or the islands would merge.
Last updated 2026-10-21