Tap Shade Solver

Tap Shade Solver — Step by Step

Click a square and type its clue (type 1 then 3 quickly for “1 3”), then press Solve. Or play a generated puzzle and send it here with one click.

Tap Shade Solver: rules, how to use it, tips

Shade one connected wall so that every clue lists the runs of shaded squares in the eight squares around it, with no 2×2 shaded blocks.

A clue gives the lengths of the separate runs of shaded squares among its eight neighbours (in any order).
Clue squares are never shaded.
All shaded squares join up side by side into one wall.
No 2×2 block of squares is completely shaded.

Choose the size and type the clues (or press Sample).
Press Solve and step through: ways a ring can be shaded, 2×2 blocks and joining the wall.

Zeros and eights. A 0 leaves all eight neighbours white; an 8 shades them all.
Big single runs. A 7 or a 6 around a square leaves only one or two white neighbours — try where they can go.
Split clues. Clues with several numbers need white gaps between runs: “1 1 1 1” shades every other neighbour.
2×2 watch. Three shaded squares in a 2×2 block make the fourth white.

The full guide, with a worked example and common mistakes: How to play Tap Shade.

Does the order of a clue’s numbers matter?

No — “1 3” and “3 1” mean the same thing: one run of one and one run of three.

Can white squares be cut off?

Yes — only the shaded squares have to join up. White areas can be any shape.

Is there always one answer?

Yes — every puzzle here is checked to have exactly one solution.

How do I solve one from a book?

Open the Tap Shade Solver, type the clues and press Solve.