Tangram

Tangram is the ancient Chinese dissection puzzle: seven simple shapes, cut from one square, can be arranged into hundreds of figures. Fill each silhouette exactly, using every piece with no overlaps.

How to play Tangram

• You have seven pieces: two large triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, a square and a parallelogram.
• Drag pieces from the tray onto the dark silhouette. Every piece must be used, and pieces may not overlap or stick out.
• Turn a piece in 45° steps with the rotate buttons, or tap a piece that is already selected to turn it. The parallelogram can also be flipped over.
• Pieces snap into place when a corner lands near a corner of the silhouette or of another piece.
• The puzzle is solved the moment the silhouette is completely covered. Any arrangement that fills it counts, not only ours.

Controls

• Drag a piece to move it · tap to select it, tap again to rotate · ⟲ ⟳ rotate 45° · Flip mirrors the parallelogram
• Keys 1–7 or Space select a piece · arrows move it (Shift for small steps) · Q/E rotate · F flip · H hint · R reset

Tips

• Place the two large triangles first. They cover half the silhouette, so there are only a few places they can go.
• Look for sharp 45° corners in the outline: they usually belong to a triangle.
• Two small triangles can fill the same space as the square, the medium triangle or the parallelogram, so try swapping them when you are stuck.
• If the parallelogram will not fit, flip it — its mirror image is a different shape.

FAQ

What are the seven tangram pieces?

Two large right triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, one square and one parallelogram. Together they make a square, and each puzzle uses all seven.

How do I rotate or flip a piece on a phone?

Tap a piece to select it, then tap it again or use the ⟲ and ⟳ buttons under the board to turn it 45°. When the parallelogram is selected, the Flip button mirrors it.

How many tangram puzzles are there?

This page has 38 original silhouettes in four sets: shapes, objects, animals and people. Your solved puzzles are ticked in the puzzle menu and saved in this browser.

What does a hint do?

A hint moves one piece into a correct spot, keeping the pieces you have already placed correctly. If your layout cannot be finished, it clears the pieces that are in the way.

Where does the tangram come from?

The puzzle comes from China, where it was known as the "seven boards of skill", and spread around the world in the early 1800s.

Can I see the tangram solutions?

Yes, one piece at a time. Each press of Hint moves another piece into a correct spot, so you can reveal as much of the solution as you need and finish the rest yourself.