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This page contains the final **answer** and the complete **solution** to today's NYT Pips puzzle. If you haven't attempted the puzzle yet and want to try solving it yourself first, now's your chance!
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Want hints instead? Scroll down for progressive clues that won't spoil the fun.
🎲 Today's Puzzle Overview
Today's NYT Pips easy, by Ian Livengood, is built around a rare chain of one-cell sum regions. Livengood places a maximum-pip anchor at the lower right, then lets adjacent low-sum bands drain away all ambiguity; the result is a compact lesson in how tight singular constraints can sequence an entire grid.
In the medium, Livengood expands the design into a network of isolated sum and greater-than regions, tied together by twin equality bands. The grid feels more open, but the singleton cells act as gateways: once their values are fixed, the equality regions lock matching pips and the middle row resolves in a smooth cascade.
Rodolfo Kurchan's hard takes the opposite approach: two separate greater-than-11 regions are so restrictive they force maximum pairs immediately. Around that high-wire center, Kurchan arrays sum-1 singletons and a long bottom sum chain, creating a domino puzzle that looks forbidding but collapses beautifully inward.
💡 Progressive Hints
Try these hints one at a time. Each hint becomes more specific to help you solve it yourself!
💡 Start with the singletons
Look for the single-cell sum regions first—they are unusually powerful here. One demands the largest possible pip, and another demands a low total that only one remaining domino can complete.
💡 Lock down the bottom row
On the bottom row, [5,3] is a sum-6 singleton, so it must anchor the [6,1] domino with the 1 falling into [5,2]. Next door, [5,0] is a sum-2 singleton, forcing the [0,2] domino to place its 0 on [5,1].
💡 Complete easy answer
Place [6,1] at [5,3]/[5,2] (6 on [5,3], 1 on [5,2]); [0,2] at [5,1]/[5,0] (0 on [5,1], 2 on [5,0]); then [1,1] at [0,0]/[0,1] (both 1); [0,1] at [4,1]/[3,1] (0 at [4,1], 1 at [3,1]); and [0,0] at [1,1]/[2,1] (both 0).
💡 Find the gateway cells
Focus first on the cells with singled-out constraints: the upper sum cell, the greater-than cells, and the less-than cell. They create a set of gateways that then force the equality bands to one matching value.
💡 Let the anchors pull
At [0,3], the sum-5 singleton must feed 5 into the adjacent [1,3], which is already half of a sum-6 pair with [1,4]. The greater-than-5 singleton at [2,0] pulls the 6 from the [6,1] domino, setting the equality group at [2,1]/[3,1]/[3,2] to 1.
💡 Complete medium answer
[5,5] at [0,3]/[1,3]; [6,1] at [2,0]/[2,1] (6 on [2,0], 1 on [2,1]); [1,1] at [3,1]/[3,2]; [3,6] at [2,5]/[2,6] (3 on [2,5], 6 on [2,6]); [1,3] at [1,4]/[1,5] (1 on [1,4], 3 on [1,5]); [0,4] at [1,2]/[1,1] (0 on [1,2], 4 on [1,1]); [1,4] at [3,5]/[3,4] (1 on [3,5], 4 on [3,4]); [4,5] at [3,3]/[4,3] (4 on [3,3], 5 on [4,3]).
💡 Hunt the greater-than walls
The greater-than-11 regions are the first dominoes to fall. Because each cell can top out at the maximum pip value, any two-cell greater-than-11 region in this puzzle must be a maximum pair—so start by locating the double-max domino.
💡 Spot the high-wire pairs
Look at [4,1]/[4,2] first: that greater-than-11 pair claims the double-max domino. Then the adjacent sum-1 singles at [4,0] and [5,0] can be spanned together, and the lower greater-than-11 pair at [6,4]/[7,4] will need two high singles, not one domino.
💡 Break the first walls
Place the double-max domino across [4,1]/[4,2]. The two vertical sum-1 singles [4,0] and [5,0] are then forced to share the double-1 domino. For [6,4]/[7,4], split the two maximum pips: [6,4] gets 6 from the [2,6] domino while [6,5] takes the 2, and [7,4] gets 6 from the [0,6] domino while [8,4] takes 0.
💡 Resolve the bottom and top sums
The bottom sum-11 region [6,1]/[6,2] now locks as 6+5; use [6,1] at [6,1]/[6,0] and [0,5] at [5,2]/[6,2]. Then the bottom sum-1 column [6,0]/[7,0]/[8,0] forces [0,0] at [7,0]/[8,0], and the equal pair [7,2]/[8,2] takes [5,5]. Up top, the sum-11 row [1,0]/[1,1]/[1,2] resolves as 4+2+5, and the vertical sum-11 [1,4]/[2,4]/[3,4] resolves as 4+5+2.
💡 Complete hard answer
[6,6] at [4,1]/[4,2]; [1,1] at [4,0]/[5,0]; [2,6] at [6,5]/[6,4] (2 on [6,5], 6 on [6,4]); [0,6] at [8,4]/[7,4] (0 on [8,4], 6 on [7,4]); [1,0] at [4,6]/[4,5] (1 on [4,6], 0 on [4,5]); [6,1] at [6,1]/[6,0] (6 on [6,1], 1 on [6,0]); [0,5] at [5,2]/[6,2] (0 on [5,2], 5 on [6,2]); [0,0] at [7,0]/[8,0]; [5,5] at [7,2]/[8,2]; [1,4] at [0,0]/[1,0] (1 on [0,0], 4 on [1,0]); [5,1] at [1,2]/[0,2] (5 on [1,2], 1 on [0,2]); [2,2] at [1,1]/[2,1]; [4,0] at [1,4]/[0,4] (4 on [1,4], 0 on [0,4]); [5,3] at [2,4]/[2,5] (5 on [2,4], 3 on [2,5]); [2,0] at [3,4]/[4,4] (2 on [3,4], 0 on [4,4]); [3,0] at [0,6]/[0,5] (3 on [0,6], 0 on [0,5]).
🎨 Pips Solver
Aug 18, 2026
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✅ Final Answer & Complete Solution For Hard Level
The key to solving today's hard puzzle was identifying the placement for the critical dominoes highlighted in the starting grid. Once those were in place, the rest of the puzzle could be solved logically. See the final grid below to compare your solution.
Starting Position & Key First Steps
This image shows the initial puzzle grid for the hard level, with a few critical first placements highlighted.
Final Answer: The Solved Grid for Hard Mode
Compare this final grid with your own solution to see the correct placement of all dominoes.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Easy Level
1
Step 1: Lock the sum-6 singleton
The cell at [5,3] is its own region with target sum 6, so it must be 6. The only domino carrying a 6 is [6,1], so it must cover [5,3] and [5,2], placing 6 on [5,3] and 1 on [5,2]. The 1 also satisfies [5,2]'s presence in the adjacent sum-1 region.
2
Step 2: Use the sum-2 singleton
Cell [5,0] is a single-cell sum-2 region, so it must be 2. The only remaining domino with a 2 is [0,2], so place 2 at [5,0] and 0 at [5,1]. That 0 fills the lower sum-1 region without exceeding its total.
3
Step 3: Anchor the top sum-1 region
Cell [0,0] is a single-cell sum-1 region, so it needs 1. The vertical top region [0,1]/[1,1]/[2,1] must also sum to 1, which forces the double-1 domino to cover [0,0] and [0,1] horizontally. Then [0,0] and [0,1] are both 1, while [1,1] and [2,1] must be 0.
4
Step 4: Finish the vertical sum-1 chain
Cell [3,1] is a single-cell sum-1 region, so place the [0,1] domino vertically at [4,1]/[3,1] with 0 at [4,1] and 1 at [3,1]. The remaining [0,0] domino covers [1,1]/[2,1] vertically, giving both cells 0 and completing the middle sum-1 region.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Medium Level
1
Step 1: Resolve the upper sum-5 cell
Cell [0,3] is a sum-5 singleton, and [1,3] is part of a sum-6 pair with [1,4]. The only workable placement is [5,5] at [0,3]/[1,3]: [0,3] gets its required 5, and [1,3] also becomes 5, forcing [1,4] to be 1 later.
2
Step 2: Force the first equality band
Cell [2,0] is a greater-than-5 singleton, so it must be 6. Place [6,1] at [2,0]/[2,1] with 6 on [2,0] and 1 on [2,1]. Because [2,1] belongs to the equality region with [3,1] and [3,2], that whole band must be 1, forcing [1,1] to cover [3,1]/[3,2].
3
Step 3: Close the other greater-than edge
Cell [2,6] is also a greater-than-5 singleton, so it must be 6. Place [3,6] at [2,5]/[2,6] with 6 on [2,6] and 3 on [2,5]. The sum-6 region [1,5]/[2,5] then requires [1,5] to be 3, so [1,3] covers [1,4]/[1,5] with 1 on [1,4] and 3 on [1,5].
4
Step 4: Lock the less-than cell
Cell [1,2] is a less-than-2 singleton, so it must be 0. The only remaining way to cover it is [0,4] at [1,2]/[1,1] with 0 on [1,2] and 4 on the empty cell [1,1].
5
Step 5: Finish the second equality band
The equality region [3,3]/[3,4] must match, and the empty cell [3,5] can take the stray 1. Place [1,4] at [3,5]/[3,4] with 1 on [3,5] and 4 on [3,4]. Finally, [4,3] is a sum-5 singleton, so [4,5] covers [3,3]/[4,3] with 4 on [3,3] and 5 on [4,3].
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Hard Level
1
Step 1: Crack the first greater-than-11 wall
The region [4,1]/[4,2] sums to more than 11 with only two cells. Since each pip maxes out at 6, the only possible sum is 12, meaning both cells must be 6. That forces the double-6 domino [6,6] to cover [4,1]/[4,2] horizontally.
2
Step 2: Span the adjacent sum-1 singles
Cells [4,0] and [5,0] are both single-cell sum-1 regions, and they are vertically adjacent. Each must be 1, so the double-1 domino [1,1] is the only possible covering, placing 1 on both [4,0] and [5,0].
3
Step 3: Break the lower greater-than-11 wall
Region [6,4]/[7,4] must also be greater than 11, so both cells must be 6. Since [6,6] is already used, place [2,6] at [6,5]/[6,4] with 2 on the greater-than-1 cell [6,5] and 6 on [6,4]. Then [0,6] covers [8,4]/[7,4] with 0 on the empty [8,4] and 6 on [7,4].
4
Step 4: Resolve the bottom sum-11 pair
The sum-11 region [6,1]/[6,2] needs 6 and 5. Place [6,1] at [6,1]/[6,0] with 6 on [6,1] and 1 on [6,0]; this also supplies the required 1 to the sum-1 column [6,0]/[7,0]/[8,0]. Then [0,5] covers [5,2]/[6,2] with 5 on [6,2] and 0 on the empty cell [5,2].
5
Step 5: Finish the bottom sum chain
With [6,0] already 1, the sum-1 region [6,0]/[7,0]/[8,0] forces [7,0] and [8,0] to be 0, so place [0,0] vertically there. The equality region [7,2]/[8,2] then takes [5,5] vertically with both cells 5.
6
Step 6: Close the top and middle sums
The top row has two sum-1 singles at [0,0] and [0,2]. Place [1,4] at [0,0]/[1,0] with 1 on [0,0] and 4 on [1,0]; place [5,1] at [1,2]/[0,2] with 5 on [1,2] and 1 on [0,2]; and place [2,2] at [1,1]/[2,1] with 2 on both. For the vertical sum-11, use [4,0] at [1,4]/[0,4] with 4 on [1,4] and 0 on [0,4]; [5,3] at [2,4]/[2,5] with 5 on [2,4] and 3 on [2,5]; and [2,0] at [3,4]/[4,4] with 2 on [3,4] and 0 on [4,4]. Finally, equals region [4,4]/[4,5] is completed by [1,0] at [4,6]/[4,5] with 1 on [4,6] and 0 on [4,5], and equals region [0,4]/[0,5] is completed by [3,0] at [0,6]/[0,5] with 3 on [0,6] and 0 on [0,5].
💡 Pro Tips for Similar Puzzles
Start with Constraints
Always begin with the most constrained regions - sum regions with small numbers or tight spaces.
Use Equal Regions
Use "equal" regions as anchors - they eliminate many possibilities quickly.
Work Systematically
Let the rules guide your placement rather than guessing randomly.
Double-Check
Verify each region's rules are satisfied before moving to the next.
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