Plots — Free Daily Area Puzzle
Split the grid into rectangles, one number each.
Plots is a free daily area puzzle: split the grid into rectangles so that every rectangle holds exactly one number, and that number equals its area. On the normal board, a small icon under each number also tells you whether its rectangle is a square, wider than tall, or taller than wide. Every cell belongs to exactly one rectangle, and only one layout fits all the clues, so you can solve it by pure reasoning. Free, no signup, one new board every day at 00:00 UTC, with unlimited practice in between.
Game settings
Difficulty
Unlock with ProHow to play
Rules
Split the whole grid into rectangles (squares count too). Every cell belongs to exactly one rectangle.
Each rectangle holds exactly one number, and that number is its area: a 6 needs a rectangle of six cells, such as 2×3 or 1×6.
A small icon under a number gives its shape: a square, a wide rectangle or a tall one. Numbers without an icon can take any shape.
Drag from one corner to the opposite corner to draw a rectangle. Drawing over existing ones replaces them, and tapping a rectangle removes it.
A new board appears every day at 00:00 UTC. Practice mode is unlimited.
Free printable12 Plots (Shikaku) puzzles to print, with answers (PDF)Screen-free practice for home or the classroom.How to play Plots
- 1Split the whole grid into rectangles. Squares count as rectangles too.
- 2Every rectangle must contain exactly one number.
- 3That number is the rectangle's area: a 6 needs six cells, such as 2×3 or 1×6.
- 4An icon under a number gives its shape: square, wide or tall. Numbers without an icon can take any shape.
- 5Drag from one corner to the opposite corner to draw a rectangle. Drawing over existing rectangles replaces them; tap a rectangle to remove it.
- 6The board is solved the moment every cell is covered by a correct rectangle.
- 7The daily board resets at 00:00 UTC and is the same for every player.
Plots strategy
Start with the clues that have one option
A big number tucked into a corner, or a number whose shape hint only fits one way between its neighbours, usually has a single possible rectangle. Draw those first: each one removes cells that other clues might have wanted.
Ask who can reach each empty cell
Pick a cell with no number and count the clues whose rectangle could possibly cover it. When only one clue can reach it, that cell belongs to that clue, which often fixes the rectangle's size and position on the spot.
Use the factors of each number
A 7 or a 5 can only ever be a straight line, a 4 is a line or a 2×2 square, and a 6 is 1×6 or 2×3. Listing the possible shapes for each number, then crossing off the ones that run into another clue or off the grid, narrows things fast.
Plots vs LinkedIn Patches
Same idea — split the grid into rectangles, each sized by its number, with shape hints — with a few differences in how it's served.
| Plots | LinkedIn Patches | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily puzzle | Free, same board for everyone | Free, requires a LinkedIn account |
| Practice mode | Unlimited, free, any time | Limited to the daily puzzle |
| Timer and leaderboard | Built in | Timer only |
| Board sizes | 6×6 free, 8×8 for Pro | Varies by day |
Plots — frequently asked questions
What is Plots?
Plots is a free daily area puzzle. You split the grid into rectangles so each one contains exactly one number equal to its area, and matches the number's shape hint when one is shown.
How do you play Plots?
Drag from one corner of a rectangle to the opposite corner to draw it. Drawing over existing rectangles replaces them and tapping one removes it. The puzzle is solved once every cell is covered by a correct rectangle.
Is Plots like LinkedIn Patches?
Yes, the core idea is the same: divide the grid into rectangles sized by their numbers, with square, wide and tall shape hints. Plots needs no account, adds unlimited free practice, and has a timer and leaderboard.
Is Plots the same as Shikaku?
Plots follows the classic Shikaku rules (one number per rectangle, number equals area) and adds optional shape hints on top.
What's the difference between Normal and Hard mode?
Normal is a 6×6 board where every number shows its shape. Hard mode (Pro) is an 8×8 board where most shape hints are hidden, so you have to work out each rectangle's shape yourself.
Is there always exactly one solution?
Yes. Every board is checked by a solver that confirms only one layout satisfies every clue before the puzzle is served.
More puzzles
Read up on this game
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