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Past puzzleJuly 30, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: July 30, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from July 30, 2026 (2026-07-30) with hints and answers for every level.

July 30, 2026

Pips hints and answers

Use the board and domino inventory as your reference. Each level has separate area clues, an optional placement from the recorded answer, and its complete solution.

Easy · 5 pieces

Easy board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 5
A2No rule
A3All equal
A4All equal
A3All equal
A4All equal
A5Sum < 4
A6Sum = 10
A6Sum = 10
A7Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: No ruleArea 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum < 4Area 6: Sum = 10Area 7: Sum = 5

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 5-5; Piece 2: 1-6; Piece 3: 5-6; Piece 4: 5-1; Piece 5: 4-1.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 5. Look at row 1, column 3.

A local clue for Area 6

The two cells in Area 6 must total 10. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 4 + 6; 5 + 5.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (5 | 6), vertical: row 1, column 3 has 5, paired with row 2, column 3 containing 6.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A15Sum = 5
A24No rule
A31All equal
A46All equal
A31All equal
A46All equal
A51Sum < 4
A65Sum = 10
A65Sum = 10
A75Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: No ruleArea 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum < 4Area 6: Sum = 10Area 7: Sum = 5

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (5 | 5): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 5, paired with row 4, column 2 = 5.
  2. Piece 2 (1 | 6): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 1, paired with row 3, column 3 = 6.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 6): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 5, paired with row 2, column 3 = 6.
  4. Piece 4 (5 | 1): vertical; row 4, column 4 = 5, paired with row 3, column 4 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (4 | 1): horizontal; row 2, column 1 = 4, paired with row 2, column 2 = 1.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  2. Area 2: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum < 4. 1 = 1 < 4.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 10. 5 + 5 = 10; target 10.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

5 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 5
A2Sum = 15
A1Sum = 5
A2Sum = 15
A2Sum = 15
A3No rule
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5No rule
A6Sum = 15
A4All equal
A7Sum > 2
A6Sum = 15
A6Sum = 15
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 15Area 3: No ruleArea 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 15Area 7: Sum > 2

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 1-4; Piece 2: 6-3; Piece 3: 4-5; Piece 4: 2-3; Piece 5: 0-5; Piece 6: 4-6; Piece 7: 5-3.

Where to look

Area 7 has 1 cell: Sum > 2. Look at row 4, column 4.

A local clue for Area 1

The two cells in Area 1 must total 5. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 5; 1 + 4; 2 + 3.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 7 (5 | 3), horizontal: row 4, column 4 has 5, paired with row 4, column 3 containing 3.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

5 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 5
A25Sum = 15
A14Sum = 5
A26Sum = 15
A24Sum = 15
A32No rule
A43All equal
A43All equal
A50No rule
A65Sum = 15
A43All equal
A75Sum > 2
A64Sum = 15
A66Sum = 15
Area 1: Sum = 5Area 2: Sum = 15Area 3: No ruleArea 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 15Area 7: Sum > 2

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (1 | 4): vertical; row 1, column 3 = 1, paired with row 2, column 3 = 4.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 4 = 6, paired with row 3, column 4 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (4 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 5 = 4, paired with row 1, column 5 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (2 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 2, paired with row 3, column 3 = 3.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 5): horizontal; row 4, column 1 = 0, paired with row 4, column 2 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (4 | 6): horizontal; row 5, column 2 = 4, paired with row 5, column 3 = 6.
  7. Piece 7 (5 | 3): horizontal; row 4, column 4 = 5, paired with row 4, column 3 = 3.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 5. 1 + 4 = 5; target 5.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 15. 5 + 6 + 4 = 15; target 15.
  3. Area 3: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 3 = 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 15. 5 + 4 + 6 = 15; target 15.
  7. Area 7: Sum > 2. 5 = 5 > 2.

Hard · 16 pieces

Hard board

8 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 3
A2Sum = 4
A3Sum = 3
A4Sum = 4
A5Sum = 1
A6All equal
A6All equal
A6All equal
A7Sum = 10
A8Sum = 4
A9Sum = 2
A10Sum = 5
A7Sum = 10
A11Sum = 4
A12Sum = 2
A13Sum = 1
A14Sum = 2
A15Sum = 2
A16Sum = 0
A17Sum = 10
A18All equal
A18All equal
A18All equal
A17Sum = 10
A19Sum = 5
A20Sum = 0
A21All equal
A21All equal
A22Sum = 3
A23Sum = 2
A21All equal
A24Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: Sum = 4Area 3: Sum = 3Area 4: Sum = 4Area 5: Sum = 1Area 6: All equalArea 7: Sum = 10Area 8: Sum = 4Area 9: Sum = 2Area 10: Sum = 5Area 11: Sum = 4Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum = 1Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: Sum = 0Area 17: Sum = 10Area 18: All equalArea 19: Sum = 5Area 20: Sum = 0Area 21: All equalArea 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 2Area 24: Sum = 5

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 0-1; Piece 2: 0-2; Piece 3: 0-3; Piece 4: 0-4; Piece 5: 0-5; Piece 6: 1-2; Piece 7: 1-3; Piece 8: 1-4; Piece 9: 1-5; Piece 10: 2-3; Piece 11: 2-4; Piece 12: 2-5; Piece 13: 3-4; Piece 14: 3-5; Piece 15: 4-5; Piece 16: 3-6.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 3. Look at row 1, column 1.

A local clue for Area 7

The two cells in Area 7 must total 10. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 4 + 6; 5 + 5.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 7 (1 | 3), vertical: row 2, column 1 has 1, paired with row 1, column 1 containing 3.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

8 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13Sum = 3
A24Sum = 4
A33Sum = 3
A44Sum = 4
A51Sum = 1
A60All equal
A60All equal
A60All equal
A75Sum = 10
A84Sum = 4
A92Sum = 2
A105Sum = 5
A75Sum = 10
A114Sum = 4
A122Sum = 2
A131Sum = 1
A142Sum = 2
A152Sum = 2
A160Sum = 0
A174Sum = 10
A181All equal
A181All equal
A181All equal
A176Sum = 10
A195Sum = 5
A200Sum = 0
A213All equal
A213All equal
A223Sum = 3
A232Sum = 2
A213All equal
A245Sum = 5
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: Sum = 4Area 3: Sum = 3Area 4: Sum = 4Area 5: Sum = 1Area 6: All equalArea 7: Sum = 10Area 8: Sum = 4Area 9: Sum = 2Area 10: Sum = 5Area 11: Sum = 4Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum = 1Area 14: Sum = 2Area 15: Sum = 2Area 16: Sum = 0Area 17: Sum = 10Area 18: All equalArea 19: Sum = 5Area 20: Sum = 0Area 21: All equalArea 22: Sum = 3Area 23: Sum = 2Area 24: Sum = 5

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (0 | 1): vertical; row 5, column 3 = 0, paired with row 6, column 3 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 2): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 0, paired with row 3, column 3 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 3): horizontal; row 7, column 2 = 0, paired with row 7, column 3 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (0 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 2 = 0, paired with row 1, column 2 = 4.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 5): vertical; row 2, column 4 = 0, paired with row 3, column 4 = 5.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 2): vertical; row 6, column 2 = 1, paired with row 5, column 2 = 2.
  7. Piece 7 (1 | 3): vertical; row 2, column 1 = 1, paired with row 1, column 1 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (1 | 4): vertical; row 4, column 4 = 1, paired with row 5, column 4 = 4.
  9. Piece 9 (1 | 5): vertical; row 6, column 1 = 1, paired with row 7, column 1 = 5.
  10. Piece 10 (2 | 3): horizontal; row 8, column 2 = 2, paired with row 8, column 1 = 3.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 4): horizontal; row 4, column 3 = 2, paired with row 4, column 2 = 4.
  12. Piece 12 (2 | 5): vertical; row 5, column 1 = 2, paired with row 4, column 1 = 5.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 4): horizontal; row 1, column 3 = 3, paired with row 1, column 4 = 4.
  14. Piece 14 (3 | 5): horizontal; row 8, column 3 = 3, paired with row 8, column 4 = 5.
  15. Piece 15 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 4, paired with row 3, column 1 = 5.
  16. Piece 16 (3 | 6): vertical; row 7, column 4 = 3, paired with row 6, column 4 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  6. Area 6: All equal. 0 = 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 10. 5 + 5 = 10; target 10.
  8. Area 8: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  9. Area 9: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  10. Area 10: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  11. Area 11: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  13. Area 13: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  14. Area 14: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  15. Area 15: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  17. Area 17: Sum = 10. 4 + 6 = 10; target 10.
  18. Area 18: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  19. Area 19: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.
  20. Area 20: Sum = 0. 0 = 0; target 0.
  21. Area 21: All equal. 3 = 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  22. Area 22: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  23. Area 23: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  24. Area 24: Sum = 5. 5 = 5; target 5.

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