DnesDanPuzzle guides
Slitherlink · Loop PuzzleRules and first moves

How to play Slitherlink

Draw a single closed loop between dots. Every number tells you exactly how many of its four edges the loop uses.

The rules

  1. Draw one loop. Connect neighbouring dots with line segments until the board contains one continuous loop.
  2. Match the clues. Each number tells how many of the four surrounding edges belong to the loop.
  3. No branches. The line cannot branch, cross itself, or end halfway. Every used dot has exactly two line edges.
  4. Use crosses. Mark impossible edges with crosses to keep the loop clean on harder boards.
12120
One loop, no branches. A 0 means the loop never touches that cell.

Where to start

Every 0 is a gift: cross out all four of its edges immediately, and the neighbouring clues suddenly have fewer places to go.

Look for a 3 next to a 0 — the three edges are forced at once. Two 3s side by side are just as strong: the edge between them belongs to the loop, and so do the outer edges of both.

Corners are worth checking early, because a clue in a corner has fewer possible edges than the same clue anywhere else.

Play Slitherlink

Offline, no account, no ads.

Android coming soon

This one is on iPhone and iPad first. Six of the nine puzzles are already on Google Play.

Learn Hashi next

Another connect-the-dots puzzle, with counted bridges instead of a loop.