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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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🎲 Today's Puzzle Overview
On Thursday, February 26, 2026, NYT Pips brings the community together for another layered logic challenge.
Edited by Ian Livengood, today’s set features Easy ID 601 (constructed by Ian Livengood), Medium ID 630, and Hard ID 656 (both constructed by Rodolfo Kurchan).
Easy 601 highlights multiple equals regions and a precise 7-sum pairing, making it a great warm-up to share hints and compare solution paths. Medium 630 introduces 10- and 11-sum regions alongside unequal constraints that spark discussion about domino order. Hard 656 expands dramatically with dense equals zones and high-value sums like 12 and 17 — perfect for collaborative breakdowns and community analysis.
Dive into the February 26, 2026 puzzle, exchange strategies, post your full solution, and enjoy the shared challenge that makes every NYT Pips grid more rewarding.
Written by Ander
Puzzle Analyst – Mark
💡 Progressive Hints
Try these hints one at a time. Each hint becomes more specific to help you solve it yourself!
💡 Hint #1 - Observe
Only 2 domino halve that contain 3 pips, need one for Light Blue 3 region, need one for Red 7 region.
💡 Hint #1 - Spot the Single 6 Immediately
Begin by identifying that only one domino half contains a 6. Since Red 11 requires a 6, that placement becomes mandatory. Recognizing single-occurrence high pips early allows you to anchor one region instantly and prevents misallocation elsewhere.
💡 Hint #2 - Link Adjacent Large Totals Together
Resolve Red 11, Purple 10, and Yellow 8 as a connected group. Red 11 must be 6+5, which forces the double 5 to straddle the boundary with Purple 10. That immediately fixes Purple 10 as 5+5. With 5s committed, Yellow 8 naturally trends toward 4+4, narrowing remaining combinations.
💡 Hint #3 - Use Inequality and Threshold Constraints to Filter Options
With high totals placed, evaluate Light Blue Not Equal, Blue >2, and Green <2 using the reduced domino pool. The Not Equal region must combine three distinct values, while the inequality regions absorb the only viable low halves. Cross-checking these constraints eliminates symmetric or duplicate-value options.
💡 Hint #4 - Complete the Remaining Sum by Elimination
After other regions are settled, Yellow 8 has only one compatible pairing left from the remaining dominoes. The final placement follows directly from elimination, confirming that earlier strategic anchoring of rare values led to a uniquely determined finish.
💡 Hint #1 - Identify Scarce 0s and 6s Early
Begin by counting the limited 0-pip and 6-pip halves. Three 0s are immediately reserved for the Green 1 region, while four 6s must be split carefully between Purple 12 and Yellow 17. Recognizing these tight resources at the outset prevents conflicts when larger totals are resolved later.
💡 Hint #2 - Anchor Low Totals to Unlock Structure
Resolve Blue 4, Green 1, and Red 4 together since they heavily restrict low pips. Green 1 consumes three zeros and a single 1, which narrows the remaining 1-pip options. From there, Red 4 and the inequality region can be determined by elimination, stabilizing the grid’s lower values.
💡 Hint #3 - Fix Mid-Range Totals with Remaining Supply
With low values placed, determine Purple 12, Red 9, Blue 2, and Yellow Equal by matching exact totals to the remaining inventory. Purple 12 must use two different 6-containing dominoes, Red 9 locks into 5+4, and Blue 2 requires matching 1s. Coordinating these regions simultaneously avoids misallocating shared pips.
💡 Hint #4 - Reserve High Pips for the Largest Sum
When approaching Yellow 17, confirm that only 6+6+5 satisfies the total given what remains. At the same time, Light Blue Equal becomes fixed by elimination. Prioritizing the largest unresolved total ensures high-value halves are not misplaced.
💡 Hint #5 - Use Doubles to Satisfy Equal Regions
For Green Equal, check the remaining doubles and determine which can satisfy the region without disrupting nearby totals. The double 5 becomes the only viable option, and its placement also constrains adjacent blanks.
💡 Hint #6 - Combine Inequality with Exact Sum Logic
In the penultimate step, align Red <2 with Purple 10. The 10-region must be 6+4 based on leftover halves, which simultaneously forces a 0 into the inequality region. Linking these two conditions resolves both placements cleanly.
💡 Hint #7 - Complete the Grid by Elimination
With all major totals satisfied, only one domino remains that fits the Light Blue 6 region. At this stage, pure elimination confirms the final placement, demonstrating how earlier resource management leads to a uniquely determined finish.
🎨 Pips Solver
Feb 26, 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: [4-1], [3-1], [3-0], [1-1], [0-0]. Only 2 domino halve that contain 3 pips, need one for Light Blue 3 region, need one for Red 7 region.
2
Step 2: Red 7 + Purple Equal --(Arrows ①②)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position.The domino halves in Red 7 region must be 3+4. The domino halves in Purple Equal region must be 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.
3
Step 3: Light Blue 3 + Blue Equal + Yellow Equal --(Arrows ③④⑤)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (3-0, 1-1, 0-0). The domino halves in Blue Equal must be 0. The domino halves in Yellow Equal must be 1. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Medium Level
1
Step 1
Dominoes Include: [6-0], [5-5], [5-4], [4-4], [4-0], [2-2], [0-0]. Only one domino half that contain 6 pips for Red 11 region.
2
Step 2: Red 11 + Purple 10 + Yellow 8 --(Arrows ①②③)
Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. The domino halves in Red 11 region must be 6+5. The domino halves in Purple 10 region must be 5+5. [5-5] must placed in the boundary between Red 11 region and Purple 10 region. The domino halves in Yellow 8 region must be 4+4 (one 4s come from step 4). The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-0 (0 right into blank), placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.
3
Step 3: Light Blue Not Equal + Blue >2 + Green <2 --(Arrows ④⑤⑥)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (4-4, 4-0, 2-2, 0-0). The domino halves in Light Blue Not Equal region must be 4+2+0. The answer is 4-4 (one 4s into Blue >2 region), placed vertically; 0-0 (one 0s into Green <2 region), placed vertically; 2-2 (one 2s right into blank), placed horizontally
4
Step 4: Yellow 8 --(Arrows ⑦)
The answer is 4-0 (4 into Yellow 8 region, 0 left into blank), placed horizontally.
🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Hard Level
1
Step 1
Dominoes Include: [6-6], [6-5], [6-2], [6-0], [5-5], [5-4], [5-3], [5-1], [4-4], [4-2], [4-1], [4-0], [3-3], [2-1], [1-1], [0-0]. Only 4 domino halves that contain 0 pips (6-0, 4-0, 0-0), need three for Green 1 region. Only 5 domino halves that contain 6 pips (6-6, 6-5, 6-2, 6-0), need two for Purple 12 region, need two for Yellow 17 region.
2
Step 2: Blue 4 + Green 1 + Red 4 + Purple >4 --(Arrows ①②③④)
Confirmed by all regions and step 1 and relative position.The domino halves in Green 1 region must be 0+0+0+1. The dominoes with 1 pips (5-1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1), therefore, the domino halves in Red 4 region must be 1+3. The answer is 4-0 (4 into Blue 4 region), placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 3-5 (5 into Purple >4 region), placed vertically.
3
Step 3: Purple 12 + Red 9 + Blue 2 + Yellow Equal --(Arrows ⑤⑥⑦⑧)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes. The domino halves in Purple 12 region must be 6+6 and come from two different dominoes. The domino halves in Red 9 region must be 5+4. The domino halves in Blue 2 region must be 1+1. The domino halves in Yellow Equal region must be 2. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.
4
Step 4: Yellow 17 + Light Blue Equal --(Arrows ⑨⑩⑪)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-6, 6-0, 5-5, 5-4, 5-1, 4-4, 4-2, 3-3). The domino halves in Yellow 17 region must be 6+6+5. The domino halves in Light Blue Equal region must be 4. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.
5
Step 5: Green Equal --(Arrows ⑫⑬)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-0, 5-5, 5-1, 4-2, 3-3). Need one domino with the same number placed in this region, the domino halves in this region must be 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-1 (1 right into blank), placed horizontally.
6
Step 6: Red <2 + Purple 10 --(Arrows ⑭⑮)
Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-0, 4-2, 3-3). The domino halves in Purple 10 region must be 6+4. The answer is 0-6 (0 into Red <2 region), placed horizontally; 4-2 (2 down into blank), placed vertically.
7
Step 7: Light Blue 6 --(Arrows ⑯)
The answer is 3-3 (whole domino), placed vertically.
🎥 NYT Pips February 26, 2026 (Thursday) — Full Solution & Deep Pips Hints for Easy 601, Medium 630, Hard 656
This video delivers a clear and practical analysis.
💡 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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