🚨 SPOILER WARNING
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
NYT Pips on Sunday, February 15, 2026 feels like a carefully arranged logic composition — clean, precise, and full of subtle structure.
Today’s puzzles are edited by Ian Livengood, with Easy ID 609 and Medium ID 632 also constructed by Livengood himself, while Hard ID 658 is crafted by Rodolfo Kurchan. Together, they create a balanced set that moves from approachable elegance into a tougher, more layered grid.
From the controlled domino selection to the interplay of equals regions and large sum targets, this is the kind of puzzle that feels like it was engineered with purpose. If you’re searching for refined puzzle hints, a full solution, or just want to appreciate the design behind NYT Pips, February 15 is a great example of thoughtful construction and editorial polish.
A small masterpiece of logic, built one pip at a time.
Written by Joe
Puzzle Analyst – Sophia
💡 Progressive Hints
Try these hints one at a time. Each hint becomes more specific to help you solve it yourself!
💡 Hint #1 - Observe
The domino halves in Blue 5 region must be 3+2.
💡 Hint #1 - Count the Rare Pips First: The Only 5 Domino Becomes a Future Anchor
Start by scanning the domino pool for scarcity. With only one 5-pip domino (5-2), any region involving sum 5 or high-value constraints will eventually be forced through that single piece. This is a classic NYT Pips hint: track the rare numbers early before the grid narrows.
💡 Hint #2 - Solve Equal Regions by Elimination: Purple Equal Can Only Be 3
Equal regions are easiest when only one matching domino exists. Since the Purple Equal zone requires identical halves and the pool includes 3-3, it becomes the clean forced placement. Locking it early reduces branching and stabilizes the surrounding grid.
💡 Hint #3 - Use One Placement to Trigger a Chain: Light Blue Equal Forces the Entire 5-System
Once the remaining set is limited, treat connected regions as one logic circuit. Light Blue Equal collapses into 2, which immediately determines Blue 5 as 3+2 and forces the only 5 domino (5-2) into the Yellow 5 line. From there, Red >4 is automatically satisfied by pushing a 6 into it, creating a smooth domino cascade.
💡 Hint #4 - Finish with Extreme Targets: Purple 12 Must Consume Both 6s
Large sum targets are endgame magnets. Purple 12 can only be built as 6+6, so the last two dominoes must feed that region. Once one 6 is paired with 0 for Green 0, the remaining 6-1 becomes forced, and the leftover 1 naturally satisfies Red <2 to close the puzzle.
💡 Hint #1 - Start with Domino Inventory: Missing 6-6 Forces the Equal Regions
Before placing anything, scan the domino pool. Since 6-6 is missing and the Red Equal / Blue Equal regions can only be 3 or 4, you can immediately narrow which numbers are even possible. Also note the Blue 6 region requires a domino summing to 6, so keep an eye on the limited (5-1, 4-2) type pairs.
💡 Hint #2 - Lock the Big Sum First: Use the 22 Region to Force 6s and 5s
Large sum regions are the fastest way to force placements. The Light Blue 22 region can only be built using repeated high pips, which makes 6-5 unavoidable. Once that domino is fixed, the remaining 6s/5s distribution becomes constrained, and the Red Equal region is pushed toward 4.
💡 Hint #3 - Exploit Missing Numbers: No 6-3 or 5-3 Makes Blue Equal Auto-3
When certain combinations don’t exist, equals regions collapse quickly. With no 6-3 or 5-3 available, the remaining 3-pip domino options force Blue Equal to be 3. At the same time, the Red 4 sum region can only resolve as 4+0, creating a clean chain reaction into the 22-sum structure.
💡 Hint #4 - Chain Equal Regions Together: Solve Multiple Zones by One Shared Number
Once the board enters the midgame, treat connected equals and sum regions as one system. Red Equal must stay 4, which immediately fixes Purple Equal as 6. Then Yellow 6 is forced into 2+4, Light Blue 4 collapses into 2+2, and Yellow Equal becomes 1. This step is all about letting one confirmed value propagate across the grid.
💡 Hint #5 - Finish by Targeting the Required Sum: Blue 6 Must Consume the Only Valid Domino
In the endgame, focus on the region with a strict requirement. Blue 6 must contain a domino totaling 6, and with only (6-1) and (5-1) remaining, the 5-1 becomes the only clean fit. That placement automatically resolves the last inequality split (Purple >3 vs Green <2) and completes the puzzle.
🎨 Pips Solver
Feb 15, 2026
Click a domino to place it on the board. You can also click the board, and the correct domino will appear.
✅ 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
Dominoes Include: [6-3], [4-1], [3-2], [3-1], [2-0]. The domino halves in Blue 5 region must be 3+2.
2
Step 2: Light Blue 10 --(Arrows ①②)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. The domino halves in this region must be 6+4. The answer is 6-3 (3 into Blue 5 region), placed horizontally; 4-1 (1 up into blank), placed vertically.
3
Step 3: Blue 5 + Yellow 1 + Red Equal + Purple 2 --(Arrows ③④⑤)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (3-2, 3-1, 2-0). The domino halves in Blue 5 region must be 3+2 (3s already come from Arrows ①). The domino halves in Yellow 1 region must be 0+1. The domino halves in Red Equal region must be 3. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically; 3-2 (2 into Purple 2 region), placed horizontally.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Medium Level
1
Step 1
Dominoes Include: [6-2], [6-1], [6-0], [5-2], [3-3], [3-2], [2-1]]. Only one domino with 5 pips (5-2).
2
Step 2: Purple Equal --(Arrows ①)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. Need one domino with the same number placed in this region, the domino halves in this region must be 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.
3
Step 3: Yellow 5 + Light Blue Equal + Red >4 + Blue 5 --(Arrows ②③④⑤)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-2, 6-1, 6-0, 5-2, 3-2, 2-1). The domino halves in Light Blue Equal region must be 2. The domino halves in Blue 5 region must be 3+2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-6 (6 into Red >4 region), placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-1 (2 into Blue 5 region, 1 right into blank), placed horizontally.
4
Step 3: Green 0 + Purple 12 + Red <2--(Arrows ⑥⑦)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-1, 6-0). The domino halves in Purple 12 region must be 6+6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-1 (1 into Red <2 region), placed horizontally.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Hard Level
1
Step 1
Dominoes Include: [6-5], [6-4], [6-2], [6-1], [6-0], [5-4], [5-1], [4-4], [4-3], [4-2], [3-3], [3-1], [2-1]. The domino halves in Red Equal region and Blue Equal region must be 3 or 4. No domino with the number 6-6. Need one domino sum to be 6 placed in Blue 6 region.
2
Step 2: Light Blue 22 --(Arrows ①)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. [6-5] must placed in Light blue 22 region, the domino halves in Light Blue 22 region must be 5+5+6+6 (one 6s and one 5s come from step 3 and step 4). The answer is 5-6, placed vertically. confirmed by the dominoes left that with 6 pips and 5 pips (6-4, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0, 5-4, 5-1), the domino halves in Red Equal region must be 4.
3
Step 3: Blue Equal + Red 4 --(Arrows ②③④)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 2 and remaining dominoes. The domino halves in Blue Equal region must be 3. Confirmed by the domino halves left that contain 3 pips (4-3, 3-3, 3-1), no domino with the number 6-3 and 5-3, the domino halves in Red 4 region must be 4+0. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically; 0-6 (6 into Light Blue 22 region), placed vertically.
4
Step 4: Red Equal + Purple Equal + Yellow 6 + Light Blue 4 + Yellow Equal --(Arrows ⑤⑥⑦⑧⑨⑩⑪)
Confirmed by all left regions remaining dominoes (6-4, 6-2, 6-1, 5-4, 5-1, 4-4, 4-2, 3-1, 2-1). The domino halves in Red Equal region must be 4. The domino halve in Purple Equal region must be 6. The domino halves in Yellow 6 region must be 2+4. The domino halves in Light Blue 4 region must 2+2. The domino halves in Yellow Equal must be 1. The answer is 5-4 (5 into Light Blue 22 region), placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-3 (3 right into blank), placed horizontally.
5
Step 5: Blue 6 + Purple >3 + Green <2 --(Arrows ⑫⑬)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-1, 5-1). The domino halves in Purple 12 region must be 6+6. The answer is 5-1 (whole domino into Blue 6 region), placed vertically; 6-1 (6 into Purple >3 region, 1 into Green <2 region), placed vertically.
🎥 NYT Pips Sunday (Feb 15, 2026) Solution Walkthrough — Easy 609 / Medium 632 / Hard 658 Explained
Today’s Hard puzzle has some really satisfying forced placements.
💡 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.
💬 Community Discussion
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