How to Play Pearls
Pearls is the loop puzzle known in Japan as Masyu: a grid with white and black pearls, and one loop to thread through them all.
The rules
- Draw one closed loop through the centres of squares, moving horizontally and vertically. It never branches or crosses itself.
- The loop passes through every pearl. Empty squares may be skipped.
- White pearl: the loop goes straight through it and turns in the square immediately before or after it (or both).
- Black pearl: the loop turns in it and goes straight through the next square on both sides.
Playing on kawu
- Tap the gap between two squares: once draws a line, twice a cross (no line there), three times clears it.
- Undo steps back. Hint fixes a wrong line or cross first; otherwise it draws a correct line next to what you've drawn, or at a pearl.
- Sizes: 6×6, 7×7, 8×8. The daily puzzle is the same 7×7 for everyone.
Next, read the Pearls solving techniques.
Frequently asked questions
Does the loop have to visit every square?
No. It must pass through every pearl; squares without a pearl can be left out.
Can the loop turn in a white pearl?
Never. The loop goes straight through white pearls. It must turn in at least one of the two squares next to it along that line.
Can two black pearls sit next to each other?
Yes, as long as each can turn and then run straight for one more square on both sides. Two adjacent black pearls just can't be joined to each other directly.
Last updated 2026-10-20