After solving a puzzle, you earn 1 to 3 stars based on your completion time. Each grid size has different time thresholds — bigger grids give you more time.
Using the Hint button caps your maximum rating at ⭐⭐, regardless of how fast you finish.
How to Play Patches
The complete guide to the rectangle puzzle game.
Learn the rules, understand the shapes, and start solving in under 3 minutes.
Patches is a free logic puzzle game. You get a grid where every cell contains a clue. Your job is to fill the entire grid by placing colored rectangular patches— each one must match its clue's shape type and exact cell count.
The puzzle is solved when every cell is covered exactly once. No overlaps, no gaps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving
1
Analyze the Clues
Look at the numbers and icons on the grid. Every number represents the total area (number of cells) of the rectangle you need to create. The icon next to it tells you the shape requirement: Square, Tall, Wide, or Any.
2
Identify "Forced" Moves
Start with clues that have very few possibilities. For example, a "Square 4" must always be a 2×2 block. A "Tall 3" must always be a 1×3 vertical column. If these clues are near the corners or edges, their placement is often "forced" because they can only fit in one specific spot.
3
Draw Your First Patch
Click and hold on the clue cell, then drag your mouse (or finger) to cover the area you want. The grid will give you real-time feedback:
● Green: Valid placement.
● Red: Invalid (wrong size, wrong shape, or overlaps another clue).
4
Use Process of Elimination
As you place patches, the available space on the grid shrinks. Look for empty "islands" of cells. Ask yourself: "Which clue is the only one that could reach these empty cells?"This logical deduction is the key to solving harder 10×10 or 12×12 puzzles.
5
Seal the Grid
Continue placing patches until every single cell is covered by a colored rectangle. If you realize you made a mistake earlier, simply click a placed patch to remove it. The game is won only when the grid is 100% full with no overlaps.
🧠 Logic Walkthrough: A Pro's Strategy
Imagine a 4×4 grid. You see a "Wide 2" clue in the top-left corner.
- First Thought: A "Wide 2" must be 2 cells wide and 1 cell tall (2×1).
- Check Constraints: Since it's in the corner, it can only go right. You drag from the clue to the cell on its right. It turns green. Done!
- Next Step: Look for a clue near the patch you just placed. Maybe there's an "Any 4" clue nearby. Since you've already filled the top-left, the "Any 4" has fewer directions it can grow.
- The Goal: Never guess. If you aren't sure, look for a different clue that has only one possible placement. The puzzle is designed so that there is always a logical path to the finish.
The Four Shape Types
Every clue specifies a shape. The shape constrains which rectangles are valid.
Square
Width = Height (e.g. 2×2, 3×3)
Wide
Width > Height (e.g. 3×1, 4×2)
Tall
Height > Width (e.g. 1×3, 2×4)
Any
Any shape matching the number
In-Game Tools
↩️
Undo
Removes the last patch placed. Does not affect your star rating.
💡
Hint
Shows where one patch should go. Using hints caps your stars at ⭐⭐.
🔄
Reset
Clears the entire grid so you can start fresh.
📤
Share
Copies your result — stars, time, and emoji grid — ready to share.
⭐ Star Ratings
💡 Pro Tips
💡
Start with the most constrained patches
Squares with small numbers (like "Square 4" = 2×2) have very few valid positions. Place those first.
💡
Work from the edges inward
Corners and edges have fewer options than the center. Use boundary constraints to lock in placements early.
💡
Use elimination
When most patches are placed, remaining empty cells often force the last patches into their only valid positions.
💡
The feedback colors are your friend
Don't be afraid to test placements. Green/red feedback tells you instantly if a selection is valid.
💡
Undo, don't reset
Undo removes only the last patch. Reset clears everything. Use Undo to preserve your progress.
Ready to Play?
Start with a 4×4 or 5×5 puzzle. Your first puzzle takes about 2 minutes.
▶ Start Playing — FreeHow to Play FAQ
What does the 'Square 4' clue mean?
It means you must draw a rectangle that is a perfect square (Width = Height) and covers exactly 4 cells. In this case, it must be a 2×2 square.
Can a rectangle contain two clues?
No. Every patch must contain exactly one clue cell. If you draw a rectangle that covers two clues, it will turn red and be marked as invalid.
Why did my selection turn red?
A selection turns red if it violates any rule: the shape doesn't match the icon, the total cell count is wrong, it contains multiple clues, or it overlaps with an existing patch.
What is the 'Any' shape (◻)?
The 'Any' icon means there are no shape constraints. For example, if the clue is 'Any 4', you can draw a 4×1, 1×4, or 2×2 rectangle. Any shape is valid as long as it contains exactly 4 cells.