Quick Patches Game Online

How to play Patches

Patches is a rectangle logic puzzle. The grid contains clues, and you divide the whole board into rectangular patches so that each patch contains exactly one clue. A number gives the exact number of cells in that patch; a question mark means the size is up to you.

The frame around a clue also tells you the shape: square, wide, or tall. A dashed frame allows any rectangle. The board is complete when every cell belongs to exactly one patch with no overlaps. Most boards take four to seven minutes.

Patches strategy tips

Begin with the most constrained clue

Large numbers and clues with a fixed shape have only a few possible rectangles. Placing them first leaves smaller, easier gaps for the rest.

Use the edges

A clue near the edge of the board or wedged between other clues usually has only one rectangle that fits without swallowing another clue.

Find cells only one clue can reach

If a cell can only be covered by one clue's rectangle, that clue's patch must include it. Working from these cells removes guesswork.

Leave question marks for last

Clues with a question mark are flexible, so they are best used to fill whatever space remains once the fixed clues are placed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Drawing a patch that contains two clues; each patch must hold exactly one.
• Ignoring the clue frame: a tall clue cannot be solved with a wide rectangle.
• Leaving a gap of cells that no remaining clue can cover.

Patches FAQ

How do I draw a patch?

Drag from one corner of the rectangle to the opposite corner, or tap the two opposite corners. Patches cannot overlap, so remove a patch before redrawing that area.

What does a question mark clue mean?

A question mark clue can have a patch of any size, as long as the shape follows its frame and the patch contains no other clue.

What does a dashed frame mean?

A dashed frame means the patch can be any rectangle: square, wide, or tall.