NYT Pips Hints & Answers for May 31, 2026

May 31, 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!

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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 puzzle by Ian Livengood is a confidence-builder. The grid is small, and the constraints include two single-cell sum-1 regions that force immediate placements, plus a few sum-10 and equals regions that lock in the rest. There are no forks; once you place the first domino, the solution falls into place in a handful of moves. Expect a quick, satisfying solve.

The medium, from Rodolfo Kurchan, has a tight bottleneck: a sum-7 region crossing two rows that interacts with a sum-6 and a greater-than-3. You'll need to check domino availability carefully. Once you crack that central cluster, the remaining dominoes are straightforward. It's a neat challenge that rewards methodical counting.

Kurchan's hard is a beast of constraints — three separate triple-equals regions (one for 0s, one for 3s, one for 2s) and a sum-18 region demanding three sixes, all packed into a 5x7 grid. The puzzle has a cascading logic: start with the sum-12 pair on the left, then the sum-2 on the top row, and gradually deduce the equals groups. This is a test of domino inventory management; you'll likely need to revisit candidates. Expect a tough but rewarding solve.

💡 Progressive Hints

Try these hints one at a time. Each hint becomes more specific to help you solve it yourself!

💡 Start with the smallest numbers
Identify regions that have only one cell and a very low target sum. These force a specific pip value immediately.
💡 Two lone cells
The two sum-1 regions at [1,0] and [3,0] are single-cell regions, so they must each contain a pip of 1. Look for dominoes with a 1 to cover them.
💡 Full chain from the anchor
The domino [5,1] goes vertically with the 1 at [1,0] and the 5 at [0,0]. The domino [3,1] goes vertically with 1 at [3,0] and 3 at [4,0]. The equals region on row 4 forces [4,1] to be 3, so place [5,3] horizontally with 3 at [4,1] and 5 at [4,2]. The sum-10 region at [4,2]-[4,3] then needs a 5 at [4,3]; use [6,5] vertically with 5 at [4,3] and 6 at [3,3]. The top sum-10 needs two 5s; [2,5] goes with 5 at [0,1] and 2 at [0,2], and the equals region forces [0,3] to 2, so [2,3] goes vertically with 2 at [0,3] and 3 at [1,3].
💡 Seek the forced single cell
A single-cell sum region with a target of 6 is the key — that cell must be 6. Look for the only domino that can deliver a 6 there.
💡 The critical 6
The cell [1,4] in the sum-6 region must be 6. The only domino with two 6s is [6,6], and it must span [1,4] and [2,4] (the cell directly below). That makes the sum-8 region at [2,3]-[2,4] have [2,4]=6, so [2,3] must be 2.
💡 Complete unraveling
Place [6,6] vertically at [1,4]=6, [2,4]=6. Then [2,3]=2 forces [2,4] domino horizontally with 2 at [2,3] and 4 at [2,2]. The sum-7 at [1,2][2,2] needs a 3 at [1,2]; use [3,1] horizontally with 3 at [1,2] and 1 at [1,1]. Sum-6 at [0,5][1,5] uses [1,5] vertical with 1 at [0,5], 5 at [1,5]. Greater-3 at [1,6] puts [3,5] vertical with 5 at [1,6] and 3 at [2,6]. Finally, sum-7 at [2,1][3,1] works with [1,1] horizontal at [2,0][2,1] giving 1,1 and [3,6] horizontal at [3,1][3,2] giving 6,3 (sum 7).
💡 High demands for sixes
Identify regions that force specific high values due to limited pip combinations. A sum-12 region and a sum-18 column will each demand multiple 6s.
💡 Lock down the left column
The sum-12 region at [1,0] and [2,0] must be two 6s. The sum-18 column on the right at [0,6][1,6][2,6] requires three 6s. These two regions together will consume most of the dominoes with a 6.
💡 Tiny sum at the top
The sum-2 region at [0,0]-[0,1] forces a 1 in each cell. Since [1,0] is already a 6 (from the sum-12), the domino covering [0,0] and [1,0] can be the [1,6] domino, placing the 1 at [0,0] and the 6 at [1,0].
💡 Zero zone below
With [1,0]=6 and [2,0]=6, the equals region at the bottom left demanding three equal cells drives the next step. Use the [0,6] domino vertically at [2,0]=6 and [3,0]=0, then the [0,0] domino horizontally at [4,0] and [4,1] to create the triple zero.
💡 Full grid revealed
Place [1,6] vertically: [0,0]=1, [1,0]=6. Place [5,1] horizontally: [0,1]=1, [0,2]=5. Sum-10 at [0,2][0,3] gets [5,4] horizontal: [0,3]=5, [0,4]=4. Equals at [0,4][0,5] use [6,4] horizontal: [0,5]=4, [0,6]=6. Sum-18 gets [6,6] vertical: [1,6]=6, [2,6]=6. Sum-10 at [2,5][3,5] uses [2,5] horizontal ([2,4]=2, [2,5]=5) and [6,5] vertical ([3,5]=5, [4,5]=6). Equals 2s: [2,3]=2 from [2,1] horizontal ([2,3]=2, [2,2]=1), [3,4]=2 from [6,2] vertical ([4,4]=6, [3,4]=2). Sum-2 at [2,1][2,2]: 1+1 from [3,1] horizontal ([3,1]=3, [2,1]=1) and the 1 at [2,2]. Equals 3s: [3,1]=3, [3,2]=3 from [3,4] horizontal ([3,2]=3, [4,2]=4), [3,3]=3 from [3,6] vertical ([3,3]=3, [4,3]=6). Sum-4 at [4,2]=4 from that domino. Sum-3 at [4,6]=3 from [3,2] vertical ([4,6]=3, [3,6]=2).

🎨 Pips Solver

May 31, 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

Pips hint for May 31, 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 May 31, 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: Anchor on the single cells
The single-cell sum-1 regions at [1,0] and [3,0] must be 1s. The only dominoes with a 1 are [3,1] and [5,1], so each will cover one of these cells — no other way to get a 1 here.
2
Step 2: Bottom-row equals
Place [3,1] vertically with 1 at [3,0] and 3 at [4,0]. The equals region at [4,0]-[4,1] forces [4,1] to match [4,0]=3. Place [5,3] horizontally with 3 at [4,1] and 5 at [4,2] to satisfy that region.
3
Step 3: Complete the bottom sum-10
The sum-10 region at [4,2]-[4,3] now has a 5 at [4,2] and needs another 5 at [4,3]. Use [6,5] vertically with 5 at [4,3] and 6 at [3,3]. Then handle the remaining sum-1: place [5,1] vertically with 1 at [1,0] and 5 at [0,0].
4
Step 4: Top row final
The top sum-10 at [0,0]-[0,1] has one 5, so [0,1] must be 5. Place [2,5] horizontally with 5 at [0,1] and 2 at [0,2]. The equals region at [0,2]-[0,3] forces [0,3]=2, so place [2,3] vertically with 2 at [0,3] and 3 at [1,3].

🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Medium Level

1
Step 1: Forced 6 from single-cell sum
The single-cell sum-6 region at [1,4] demands that cell be exactly 6. The only domino that can provide a 6 here is [6,6], placed vertically to cover [1,4] and [2,4] — the cell below.
2
Step 2: Sum-8 resolves a 2
With [2,4]=6, the sum-8 region [2,3]-[2,4] requires [2,3]=2. The only domino with a 2 is [2,4], so place it horizontally with 2 at [2,3] and 4 at [2,2].
3
Step 3: Sum-7 fills the gap
The sum-7 region at [1,2][2,2] now has [2,2]=4, so [1,2] must be 3. Place [3,1] horizontally with 3 at [1,2] and 1 at [1,1], satisfying the empty region at [1,1] and the sum-7.
4
Step 4: Right-side constraints
The sum-6 at [0,5][1,5] needs 1+5; use [1,5] vertically with 1 at [0,5] and 5 at [1,5]. The greater-3 at [1,6] must be 4,5,6; with remaining pieces, [3,5] vertical gives 5 at [1,6] and 3 at [2,6].
5
Step 5: Bottom sum-7 closes it
The sum-7 region [2,1][3,1] requires 1+6 from the leftovers. Place [1,1] horizontally at [2,0][2,1] for 1,1, and [3,6] horizontally at [3,1][3,2] with 6 at [3,1] and 3 at [3,2] (the 3 also satisfies the greater-2 at [3,2]).

🔧 Step-by-Step Answer Walkthrough For Hard Level

1
Step 1: Sum-12 demands double 6
The sum-12 region at [1,0] and [2,0] can only be satisfied by 6+6. Place the [0,6] domino vertically with the 6 end at [2,0] and the 0 end at [3,0] — this sets up the equals zero group below.
2
Step 2: Equals zero region
Now [3,0]=0, and the triple-equals region demands [4,0] and [4,1] also be 0. Use the [0,0] domino horizontally at [4,0] and [4,1] to complete this all-zero block.
3
Step 3: Top-left sum-2 and the 1,6 domino
The sum-2 at [0,0]-[0,1] must be 1+1. Since [1,0] still needs a 6 (the other 6 from the sum-12), place [1,6] vertically with 6 at [1,0] and 1 at [0,0]. Then use [5,1] horizontally with 1 at [0,1] and 5 at [0,2] to give the second 1 and start the sum-10.
4
Step 4: Top row equals and sum-18 start
The sum-10 at [0,2]-[0,3] now has 5+? needing 5; place [5,4] horizontally with 5 at [0,3] and 4 at [0,4]. The equals at [0,4][0,5] makes both 4; use [6,4] horizontal with 4 at [0,5] and 6 at [0,6], which kicks off the sum-18 column.
5
Step 5: Sum-18 column and sum-10 pair
The sum-18 region requires three 6s. With [0,6]=6, place [6,6] vertically at [1,6] and [2,6] for the remaining two 6s. The sum-10 at [2,5][3,5] now gets [2,5]=5 from placing [2,5] horizontally ([2,4]=2, [2,5]=5), and [3,5]=5 from placing [6,5] vertically ([4,5]=6, [3,5]=5).
6
Step 6: Equals groups of 2s and 3s
The equals 2s region at [2,3][2,4][3,4] is satisfied by [2,1] horizontal giving [2,3]=2 and [2,2]=1, and [6,2] vertical giving [4,4]=6 and [3,4]=2. The sum-2 at [2,1][2,2] gets 1+1 via [3,1] horizontal ([3,1]=3, [2,1]=1) and the already placed [2,2]=1. Finally, the equals 3s at [3,1][3,2][3,3] uses [3,4] horizontal ([3,2]=3, [4,2]=4) and [3,6] vertical ([3,3]=3, [4,3]=6). Sum-4 at [4,2]=4 matches, and sum-3 at [4,6]=3 from [3,2] vertical ([4,6]=3, [3,6]=2).

💡 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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