NYT Pips Hint, Answer & Solution for March 1, 2026

Mar 1, 2026

🚨 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!

Click here to play today's official NYT Pips game first.

Want hints instead? Scroll down for progressive clues that won't spoil the fun.

🎲 Today's Puzzle Overview

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, a thoughtfully curated NYT Pips collection arrives under the careful guidance of editor Ian Livengood — and it’s a beautiful way to open a new month of logic solving.

This Sunday lineup features:

• Easy ID 674, crafted by Ian Livengood

• Medium ID 697, crafted by Rodolfo Kurchan

• Hard ID 725, crafted by Rodolfo Kurchan

Easy 674 stands out for its structural clarity. The equals regions quietly control domino flow, while selective sum clues — including early low-value targets — create subtle placement pressure. A strong Pips hint today for this grid: identify how the equals chain limits tile rotation before committing any high pip numbers. It’s less about speed and more about understanding how balance is built into the design.

Medium 697 expands the strategic field. With multiple greater-than and less-than constraints layered alongside high-value sum regions, the puzzle rewards solvers who track tile scarcity across the entire grid rather than solving locally. If you’re reviewing your solution, pay attention to how early placement decisions affect flexibility in the mid-game. This is a constructor who expects you to think three moves ahead.

Hard 725 is where Rodolfo Kurchan’s architectural style fully emerges. Fifteen dominoes interact across a dense network of single-cell sum targets, creating a precision-based logic environment. There’s very little room for guesswork. The smartest strategy here is systematic elimination — mapping low-sum cells first and letting forced placements cascade naturally. If you’re looking for advanced NYT Pips hints, this puzzle rewards disciplined deduction over instinct.

The March 1, 2026 puzzle set feels intentional from first placement to final reveal. Every grid reflects creative vision, refined by editorial oversight, and designed to challenge without overwhelming. It’s not just a daily brainteaser — it’s a carefully engineered logical experience.

As a new month begins, take your time, analyze the structure, and enjoy the craftsmanship. The solution isn’t just an answer — it’s the final note in a thoughtfully composed domino symphony.

Written by Nikki

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 - So easy

Just do it.

💡 Hint #1 - Balance 3s and 0s Before Choosing the 9

Start by counting scarce 3s and 0s. Only three halves contain 3 and both 9-regions will compete for them, while the two 0s are already reserved for Red 0 and Yellow 1. This restriction forces Light Blue Equal to use 4s and heavily influences whether the 9-sum should be 6-3 or 5-4.

💡 Hint #2 - Resolve Inequality and Exact Sums Together

Handle Blue >4, Yellow 1, Purple Equal, Yellow 9, and Blue <4 as a coordinated set. Yellow 1 must consume a 0 and a 1, Purple Equal fixes at 3, and Yellow 9 locks into 6+3. These placements simultaneously determine which high values satisfy the inequality regions.

💡 Hint #3 - Commit the Remaining 9 by Elimination

After Yellow 9 absorbs the necessary 3, the remaining Light Blue 9 can no longer use 6-3 without causing conflict. The only consistent option left is 5-4, so place it whole to stabilize the center of the grid.

💡 Hint #4 - Use Mid-Value Distribution to Satisfy Exact Regions

With high totals fixed, distribute the remaining 6 and 4-heavy dominoes carefully. Purple 4 must become 2+2, Light Blue Equal must take a 4, and Red >4 absorbs the 6. Coordinating these placements prevents leftover mismatches.

💡 Hint #5 - Finish with the Forced Double

Once all regions are satisfied except the blank, only one domino remains unused. The final 4-4 is therefore forced into the blank by elimination, confirming that earlier pip balancing was consistent.

💡 Hint #1 - Center the Strategy Around the 3s

Begin by recognizing that all 3-pip halves must ultimately flow into the Blank. This makes 3 the controlling value of the puzzle. Track every 3 carefully and avoid committing them elsewhere unless they directly support the Blank requirement.

💡 Hint #2 - Use Early Placements to Feed the Blank

Resolve the Middle 1 and Left Bottom Blank together so that 3s are positioned correctly from the start. Placing 1-3 and 3-3 immediately channels multiple 3s into the Blank structure, reducing future uncertainty.

💡 Hint #3 - Cluster Small Exact Totals for Efficiency

Handle several small-sum regions in coordinated groups rather than individually. By pairing Green 4 with Red 1, Purple 4 with Green 2, and similar combinations, you efficiently distribute 4s and 2s while continuing to direct 3s toward the Blank.

💡 Hint #4 - Lock the Dominant 4-Regions

With many 4-based totals remaining, secure Yellow 4, Blue 4, and Light Blue 4 using the strongest available 4-dominoes. Fixing 4-4 and 4-0 stabilizes the grid and prevents leftover 4s from conflicting with smaller regions.

💡 Hint #5 - Finish by Distributing Remaining 3s and Doubles

In the final phase, only a handful of 3-, 2-, and 1-based dominoes remain. Continue prioritizing the movement of 3s into the Blank while assigning doubles and zero-heavy tiles to exact small totals. With inventory nearly exhausted, elimination and value balancing complete the puzzle cleanly.

🎨 Pips Solver

Mar 1, 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

Pips hint for March 1, 2026 – hard level puzzle grid with critical first placements and strategy

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

NYT Pips March 1, 2026 hard puzzle full solution grid showing final answer with hints

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], [6-2], [5-2], [3-0], [2-2].

2

Step 2: Purple 0 --(Arrows ①)

Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

3

Step 3: Yellow 3 + Light Blue Equal + Red Equal--(Arrows ②③④⑤)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes. The domino halves in Light Blue Equal region must be 6. The domino halves in Red Equal region must be 2. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically; 2-5 (5 down into blank), placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Medium Level

1

Step 1

Dominoes Include: [6-3], [6-2], [6-1], [5-4], [4-4], [4-2], [4-1], [4-0], [3-2], [3-0]. Need one domino sum to be 9 (6-3 or 5-4) placed in Light Blue 9 region. Only 3 domino halves that contain 3 pips (6-3, 3-2, 3-0), need one for Number 9 regions. Only 2 domino halves that contain 0 pips (4-0, 3-0), need one for Red 0 region, need one for Yellow 1 region. Therefore, the domino halves in Light Blue Equal region must be 4.

2

Step 2: Blue >4 + Yellow 1 + Purple Equal + Yellow 9 + Blue <4 --(Arrows ①②③④)

Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. The domino halves in Blue >4 region must be 5 or 6. The domino halves in Yellow 1 region must be 1+0. The domino halves in Purple Equal region must be 3. The domino halves in Yellow 9 region must be 6+3. The answer is 6-1 (6 into Blue >4 region), placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically; 3-2 (2 into Blue <4 region), placed horizontally.

3

Step 3: Light Blue 9 --(Arrows ⑤)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-2, 5-4, 4-4, 4-2, 4-1, 4-0). The answer is 5-4 (whole domino), placed horizontally.

4

Step 4: Red >4 + Purple 4 + Light Blue Equal + Green <4 + Red 0 --(Arrows ⑥⑦⑧⑨)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (6-2, 4-4, 4-2, 4-1, 4-0). The domino halves in Purple 4 region must be 2+2. The domino halves in Light Blue Equal region must be 4. The answer is 6-2 (6 into Red >4 region), placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 4-1 (1 into Green <4 region), placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

5

Step 5: Blank --(Arrows ⑩)

The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Hard Level

1

Step 1

Dominoes Include: [4-4], [4-3], [4-2], [4-1], [4-0], [3-3], [3-2], [3-1], [3-0], [2-2], [2-1], [2-0], [1-1], [1-0], [0-0]. 3 pips must placed in Blank, the key is 3 pips.

2

Step 2: Middle 1 + Left Bottom Blank --(Arrows ①②)

Confirmed by neighboring region and step 1 and relative position. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

3

Step 3: (Green 4 + Red 1) + ( Middle Purple 4 + Green 2) + Top Purple 4 + (Purple 2 + Light Blue 0) + (Top Red 2 + Light Blue 1) --(Arrows ③④⑤⑥⑦)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically; 4-3 (3 into blank), placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

4

Step 4: (Yellow 4 + Blue 4) + ( Light Blue 4 + Yellow 0) --(Arrows ⑧⑨)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (4-4, 4-0, 3-2, 3-0, 2-2, 1-1, 1-0, 0-0). The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

5

Step 5: Yellow 2 + (Right Green 0 + Purple 0) + ( Blue 1 + Middle Green 0) + (Yellow 1 + Purple 1) + Blue 0 + (Bottom 2 + Light Blue 2) --(Arrows ⑩⑪⑫⑬⑭⑮)

Confirmed by neighboring region and remaining dominoes (3-2, 3-0, 2-2, 1-1, 1-0, 0-0). The answer is 2-3 (3 right into blank), placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 0-3 (3 right into blank), placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally

🎥 NYT Pips March 1, 2026 (Sunday) — Complete Solve & Strategy Deep Dive | IDs 674, 697, 725 Explained

Watch the complete solve, refine your approach, and start the month stronger with smarter Pips strategy.

💡 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.

🎓 Keep Learning & Improve

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